"Jonathan Goodish" wrote:

By and large, I have a greater degree of control over the risks involved
with flying an airplane than I do with the risks involved in driving a
car on the highway. I take steps to mitigate the risks in aviation and,
as a result, I do indeed believe that I'm generally safer in the
airplane than in the car.

With respect, you are kidding yourself if you believe that.

You have convinced yourself that you are sufficiently skilled and cautious to
overcome at least a 700% disparity in fatal accident rates--or greater if you
use the statistics Jay posted. Do you really believe that you possess
sufficient superiority to all other GA pilots to achieve this immunity?
Where do you think that puts you on the pilot bell curve? Most pilots think
they're right there with you, and therefore a bunch of you have to be wrong.

From what I know of your flying, I presume you do not limit yourself to trips
around the pattern on pretty days; you demand utility from your piloting and
your airplane. This means that you take risks, and, by any empirical measure
we have available, your risks flying are far greater than your risks driving.

--
Dan
C-172RG at BFM