This discussion always fascinates me. You can go swim with the sharks, bungee jump, parachute jump, stand on a stingray, drown when your boat sinks, hit the odd pedestrian whilst driving, and yet a lot of people associate flying with death and danger
If the aeroplane is maintained to the correct degree and standard, you trust the shop doing the work
, you as the pilot have ensured that you are capable, up to date with ALL training/licence requirements, and you do not attempt to go 4 up, when the aeroplane can only take off with 2 up, do not fly in ice, and in general avoid the ground, then it is perfectly safe.
Those that adhere to most of the above, stand a better than average chance of surviving each trip. Those that dont, well....
As I go about my life, I feel less safe driving, less safe walking about busy streets, particularly as I watch a growing majority wandering about with headphones in, hoods up, and on the mobile, and much safer flying.
I would always prefer to be up there
