Aviator taking part in terrible riots (7)
I believe the answer is:
bleriot
'aviator' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'part in terrible riots' is the wordplay.
'part in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'BLERIOT' can be found hidden inside 'terrible riots'.
'taking' is the link.
(Other definitions for bleriot that I've seen before include "First man to fly across the Channel" , "Airman" , "Aviator" , "Distinguished flier" .)