Most of the stats I've seen regarding GA and light a/c flying rate in a similar risk category to riding a motor bike.
These figures come from an Australian study which is available here:
Cross Modal Safety Comparisons - I think this was done in 2002.
From memory (no time to re-read it just now!) this essentially shows that in terms of fatalities-per-passenger-per-kilometer you are safer in the family car than flying fixed-wing GA, but puts that into perspective by showing that you are far less safe on a motorbike, or even as a pedestrian! Things like buses and commercial airliners are however much much safer on the same measure than any of these, as you would expect.
Just because things are dangerous doesn't mean we don't do them - but it does mean that we need to focus on safety. I try to avoiid telling people that they are safer in their car as I wouldn't want it on my conscience after the event if I felt I had inappropriately guided them about this. Instead I tell them that it's statistically safer than riding a motorbike, but they have to decide if it's a risk they want to take. I know my choice!
Andy
