Contend with a flapper observation (7)

I believe the answer is:

viewing

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'observation' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'contend with a flapper' is the wordplay.
'contend with' becomes 'vie' (I've seen this in another clue).
'a flapper' becomes 'wing' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'vie'+'wing'='VIEWING'

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(Other definitions for viewing that I've seen before include "Surveying" , "What's done in front of the TV" , "Opportunity to see" , "people in front of TV?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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