Lurkfag, Workfag here
Working in Aviation for 27 years for major airlline.
Also, was taxi qualified.
I agree with the article, starting an aircraft is not as simple as turning a key or pushing a button. There is a long checklist and it has to be done correctly for the aircraft to start. A prop plane is even more difficult. Getting the airplane in the air is easy enough, just go fast and pull back on the stick and away you go. Performing stunts would be like asking a first time driver to do some Fast and Furious stunts, not happening. The pilot of the plane, whoever they were, was a trained, experienced pilot.