- Hold door open with your left knee
If I need to get a plane down quickly, I use my [left] knee differently. I'll apply a load through it to the rudder pedal, and enter a full slip, with full flaps. Aside from the noted "Avoid" placard, this is a maneuver trained in normal handling techniques, and is low workload for the pilot compared to forcing a door. Though, most importantly, if I actually had a fire in the engine compartment, I would not want a cabin door open!
But, as we're talking open door on a Cessna in flight (a
non approved procedure); if you're flying all trimmed for straight and level, at a modestly slow speed (so you don't damage the door), and you force open the left door a few inches, which way will the plane turn, and why? I have done this many times, and surprised myself as to which way the plane went, and why.....