Ali, say, in plane (7)

I believe the answer is:

fighter

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'plane' is the definition.
(fighter is a kind of plane)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for fighter that I've seen before include "Combat aircraft" , "Warplane" , "Combatant, battler" , "Professional boxer - a person with determination" , "Military jet" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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