Crossword Genius

Gold given to best group, including current air traffic controller? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

autopilot

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'air traffic controller?' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'gold given to best group including current' is the wordplay.
'gold' becomes 'Au' (Au is the chemical symbol for gold).
'given to' indicates putting letters inside.
'best' becomes 'top' (top can mean the very best).
'group' becomes 'lot'.
'including current' becomes 'i' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'top'+'lot'='toplot'
'toplot' going around 'i' is 'topilot'.
'au'+'topilot'='AUTOPILOT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for autopilot that I've seen before include "Robot flier?" , "navigator" , "Device for controlling an aircraft" , "requiring no help when stacking?" , "Device that keeps ships on a steady course" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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