The 'raw numbers' equate it in the same area as motorcycles. Those are the numbers and if you do not like them - work at flying safely!
Just as with motorcycles there are 'safe' riders/pilots and 'unsafe' riders/pilots. As with all things, to a point you can chose which group you align with.
It would however be disingenuious to tell your passengers anything else in terms of relative risk just because you do not 'like' the numbers (unless you are a politican, banker, etc, etc - in which case it would be expected!)
Your 'intuition' is coloured by your assessment of your ability and your understanding of accident frequencies and the like. I've been flying for 20 odd years now and regrettably I remember a number of people who are no longer with us, due to both aircraft and motorcycles. Some did not surprise me, some did - I just work at not being one of them!
Last edited by gasax; 20th Sep 2012 at 12:35.