As the federal government shutdown comes to a close, air traffic controllers nationwide, including those at Palm Beach International Airport, are finally getting some relief after working through weeks without pay and uncertainty over when federal funding would return.
But before operations returned to normal, a group of West Palm Beach students decided to show their appreciation.
Students from The Greene School’s Flight Program in West Palm Beach paused their training this week to honor the air traffic controllers who keep Palm Beach County’s skies safe.
The students delivered thank-you cards, snacks, gift cards, and school swag to the staff at the Palm Beach International Airport Air Traffic Control Tower, showing appreciation during a period of uncertainty in the aviation industry.
The Greene School students gave thank you cards, snacks and school swag to Palm Beach International air traffic controllers at PBIA in West Palm Beach.
As part of the visit, the students also received a tour of Atlantic Aviation and its aircraft, gaining a real-world look at the field some are preparing to enter.
What is the Greene School in West Palm Beach?
The Greene School is a private pre-K through 12th-grade school in West Palm Beach.
The school’s Aeronautics Program recently expanded with the opening of a Flight Center that includes the “Take Flight Lab,” a facility with an indoor flying space and flight deck. Students participate in structured tracks such as Piloted Flight and Unmanned Aircraft Systems operations, taking on roles including ground crew, tower control and mission space advisor.
The program integrates robotics and computer science to provide applied training in aviation, aerospace engineering, and related STEM disciplines.