A great number returning by aircraft (4)

I believe the answer is:

stol

'aircraft' is the definition.
(short for short take-off and landing aircraft)

'a great number returning' is the wordplay.
'a great number' becomes 'lots' (lots of something).
'returning' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'lots' reversed gives 'STOL'.

'by' is the link.

(Another definition for stol that I've seen is " Short take-off and landing".)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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