<?PHP
class FlightSearchResult_Controller extends Page_Controller {
    private $apiSearchResults = '';
    private $apiQuery = '';

    public function getFlightResults() {

        $this->apiSearchResults = $flightsDateBreakdown;
        $this->apiQuery = $apiResponse->query;

        return $flightsDateBreakdown;
    }

    public function getAPIQuery( $param ){
        echo __FILE__ . " on line " . __LINE__ . " $param<br>";
        return !empty($this->apiQuery) ? $this->apiQuery : [];
    }
}
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            <div class="search-left">
                <input id="search_flight" name="search_flight" value="$getAPIQuery(search_flight)" class="" tabindex="4">
            </div>