Kevin: Good job, it will only get better. My first flight with my wife
was in a Cherokee 180 and on take off her door blew open, the upper
latch was not fasten. It was part of the check list too, but I usually
flew with my brother, who is also a pilot and he took care of the door
each time. Anyway, she was in no danger with her seat belt on and the
slip stream holding the door close, but you can't tell that to a
newbie, besides the extra noise of the door popping open and the air
flow gave her the scare. At the time I remember reading that when
there's a distraction to "just fly the airplane". The pattern was
extremely busy and the tower was giving vectors out away from the
airport, so I told her not to worry and I would take care of once we
were out of the pattern. As soon as I got to cruise altitude, and away
from the ariport I was able to slow down, do a right hand turn, and
pull the door shut and lock it. All was well, but it sure scared a
newbie. She seems okay now, and likes to go along if there's a meal at
the other end of the flight. She wouldn't go just for the fun of
flying, but I have my brother for that! I hope you have a great time
flying! Best regards, Terry