Crossword Genius

Flies I left in saucepans (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pilots

'flies' is the definition.
(I know this)

'i left in saucepans' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'saucepans' becomes 'pots' (I've seen this in another clue).
'i'+'l'='il'
'il' put inside 'pots' is 'PILOTS'.

(Other definitions for pilots that I've seen before include "Flies" , "People who guide ships going into or out of a harbour" , "Aviators and ships' guides" , "Airmen" , "They're licensed to fly" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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