Heard distress signal was a gift (5)
I believe the answer is:
flair
'a gift' is the definition.
(I know that flair is a type of gift)
'heard distress signal' is the wordplay.
'heard' shows a homophone (sound like).
'distress signal' becomes 'flare' (I've seen this in another clue).
'flare' is a homophone of 'FLAIR'.
'was' is the link.
(Other definitions for flair that I've seen before include "Talent; elegance" , "skill" , "Natural talent and aptitude" , "Bent" , "Natural talent or panache" .)