Crossword Genius

Flight affected by winds? (6,9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spiral staircase

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'flight affected by winds?' is the definition.
'spiral staircase' can be an answer for 'flight' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the 'affected by winds?' bit.

'flight affected by' is the wordplay.
'flight' becomes 'staircase' (a flight of stairs).
'affected' becomes 'spiral' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'staircase' put after 'spiral' is 'SPIRAL STAIRCASE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for spiral staircase that I've seen is " Not a direct flight".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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