They fly around area by way of rocky peaks (8)
I believe the answer is:
aviators
'they fly' is the definition.
Although both the answer and 'fly' are nouns, they are not in the same form of the noun.
'area by way of rocky peaks' is the wordplay.
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'by way of' becomes 'via' (via means by way of or by means of).
'rocky peaks' becomes 'tors' (I've seen this in another clue).
'a'+'via'+'tors'='AVIATORS'
'around' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for aviators that I've seen before include "Flyers" , "They fly machines" , "Airmen" , "Pilots" , "Fliers" .)