Aircrew, I believe, appear as a body to be less risk averse than engineers. The difference is that aircrew control their own risk whereas engineers control risk of others.
Interesting point. I'm not particularly risk averse in general life, but when it comes to aeroplanes I am not risk averse, I simply will not release anything to service that isn't completely airworthy. Risk isn't part of the equation. Was I indoctrinated or is it a natural characteristic of those with an aptitude for engineering?