Originally Posted by
ufgatorpilot
I think that people just don't like feeling like they have no control. Don't take it personally that your family/friends don't want to go flying with you. I am sure they have no doubt that you are a wonderful pilot.
My experience has been the opposite. My family is willing to fly in commercial jets because they
can't see anything. They would rather sit blissfully unaware in the back and think that the airplane is powered by magic. When sitting in the right seat of a small trainer, they are forced to acknowledge the existence of flight controls, aircraft systems, etc. and this makes them nervous. Everyone has their reasons though...