Flying Slow

I also fly a PA28 (180C). During pre-departure checklist at night my
wife (sitting in the right seat, and not a pilot) reached up to set the
upper door latch as I got to that part of the checklist. I thought she
had latched it for me. OAT was -5C on the ground.

We were cleared to depart IFR and as I got to 800 AGL and switched
freqs, the upper door seals gave way and wind in the plane became so
bad that I couldn't hold a chart unless I had on gloves (which I
didn't). So I made the mistake of opening the side latch in an attempt
to re-shut the door and get both latches to latch.

Neither latch could be operated at that point, and ATC could hardly
hear me over the wind noise -- and I certainly couldn't hear them.
Thankfully it was VMC (because my approach plates were flying around
the cabit) and I could do an immediate 180.

I was at an IAS of 35MPH with the wheels on the runway before I was
able to get the door shut and the latches done.

I think I want to try this slow flight, at altitude, and see if by
slipping I can get that door shut and latched bottom and top. And would
you suggest using full flaps at that point?

Also, I have several speed mods on this plane, so its actual stall
speed is about 10 MPH less than the stall light is set to come on.
Later,
Steve.T
PP ASEL/Instrument