Crossword Genius

As a flier, turn left in terrible gales (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

seagull

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'as a flier' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'turn left in terrible gales' is the wordplay.
'turn' becomes 'u' (a 'U-turn' is a kind of turn).
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'terrible' indicates an anagram.
'u'+'l'='ul'
'gales' anagrammed gives 'seagl'.
'ul' put inside 'seagl' is 'SEAGULL'.

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(Other definitions for seagull that I've seen before include "Main creature" , "Avian scavenger" , "One sitting atop mast perhaps" , "Marine bird" , "Bird paradoxically fond of landfill sites" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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