Civil pilot arranging an early start (6)
I believe the answer is:
polite
'civil' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'pilot arranging an early start' is the wordplay.
'arranging' indicates an anagram.
'start' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'early' is 'e'.
'pilot' with letters rearranged gives 'polit'.
'polit'+'e'='POLITE'
(Other definitions for polite that I've seen before include "Cultivated" , "Respectful and considerate" , "Well mannered" , "Mannerly, courteous" , "Not rude" .)