Fake Airline: Autistic UK Teen Takes Aviation Execs For A Ride
In the tradition of Frank Abagnale Jr., an autistic teenager from the United Kingdom convinced British airline executives that he was one of them, and that he was on the verge of launching his own airline, Times Online reports. According to the report, the teen--whose real name is not being released--went by the pseudonym Adam Tait, published articles in trade magazines and corresponded through phone, email and even face-to-face meetings with airline executives and airport directors before his ruse was eventually discovered by Airliner World.
The boy's father told police, who were tipped off by Airliner World, that his son suffers from a form of autism that allows him to memorize complex flight schedules and that makes him "a phenomenal individual who is enterprising and creative," according to Times Online. The father also said that his son had maintained an intense interest in airplanes for about two years, which helps to further explain his convincing mastery of the subject.
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First Posted: 07-21-09 10:22 AM | Updated: 08-21-09 05:12 AM