It's often difficult to compare the risks imposed by different activities, but its reasonable to state flying a certified single-engine airplane for an hour on a severe-clear day isnt as risky as spending that same time performing low-level aerobatics in an Experimental airplane. At the same time, and according to John King of King Schools, youre more likely to have a fatality in a GA airplane than in a car when traveling the same distance. If the added risk exposure we get from flying didnt provide some benefit-more efficient transportation, for example, or pure enjoyment-we might not do it at all. But the simple enjoyment of boring holes in the sky and other benefits outweighs that risk for many of us.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/flight-safety/technique/embracing-risk