In my opinion (no actual facts to back it up) GA flying is about as safe as riding motorcycles on the street. Flying would be safer than motorcycles if it wasn't for that gravity thing. :-)
On my walk around I visually look at the trim tab because I'm older and not flexible enough to look over my shoulder to see the trim tab. (Cessna 172) The rentals I fly are older and the little indicator pointer is unreliable. Recently I did my walk around and the trim tab was all the way down...
Years ago my Dad had a fleet of long haul trucks. We tried a similar device that clamped on to the outside of the wheel rim that was supposed to eliminate the need to balance the front wheels. Did. not. work.
I fly both (rentals) in the 150 you are limited in the size of passengers and ones you don't mind being cozy with. Most of my flying is just bumming around so I prefer the 150, I think it is more fun to fly and as a benefit, cheaper.
I haven't done any PnP flying but if I did I think I would crate. A long time ago in a Luscombe I took my dog up. He loved riding in a car so I figured no problem. He was fine sitting in the right seat until we were about 200 ft up. He looked out and immediately dove down and huddled up on the...
I'm an old guy and mostly just stay in the pattern and fly locally. I only fly when it is daylight and pretty nice out. When I take passengers, (my grandsons who are grown) I have mentioned the old thing about flying compared to motorcycles, BUT there is gravity and that sort of changes it...
I started flying in Eastern Nebr in the early 60's in a Luscombe, no radio and nobody to talk to unless you went to Omaha. Quit flying for a lot of years and started up again 4 yrs ago in Tucson (RYN) it was intimidating at first but the controllers at RYN are great. I have made a few forays...
Back in the day, just after they invented telephones we used to hunt coyotes in a Luscombe sorta like that in Eastern Nebraska. Disclaimer, never came close to hurting a coyote. Incredibly hard shooting sitting sidewards in a Luscombe in 15 degree weather. :-)
"I've jumped outta a queen air. I haven't jumped out of a tri motor; but I did jump out of a beaver a few times."
Were they on fire ? Can't think of any other reason. :-)
I solo'ed in a Cub, trained behind a big 'ol dairy farmer who was my instructor. Never saw the gauges until solo :-) I enjoyed the Cub although I lost a good pair of Ray-Bans cuz I wanted to look at the tail in flight. But the Luscombe was a far better plane IMHO.