First-class pilot receiving officer promotion and praise (8)
I believe the answer is:
accolade
'praise' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'first-class pilot receiving officer promotion' is the wordplay.
'first-class pilot' becomes 'ace' (term for military pilot. I am not sure about the 'first-class' bit.).
'receiving' is an insertion indicator.
'officer' becomes 'col' (short for colonel).
'promotion' becomes 'ad' (short for advert).
'col'+'ad'='colad'
'ace' placed around 'colad' is 'ACCOLADE'.
'and' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for accolade that I've seen before include "Award, originally of knighthood" , "Praise, honour" , "Praise or approval - or elevation to knighthood" , "Public approval" , "Tribute expressing great approval" .)