Can someone learn to fly a plane just by reading a manual or searching the Internet or fooling around on Flight Simulator?
When I took my Introductory Flight, I had no knowledge other than some MS Flight Sim, light reading, and a lot of curiosity. It only took a little guidance from my instructor for me to get off the ground, turn and navigate, and do almost a full landing.
My instructor was mostly showing me proper-procedures (checklists, taxi protocol, radio protocol, safety, etc). But I fully believe that a reasonably well-read novice could take off, fly and land (in a horribly unsafe manner!!) without instruction.
I'd hate to be a passenger in that plane, but I'm not surprised he survived, and probably left the aircraft with minimal damage.