High fliers subject to ground control (5)

I believe the answer is:

kites

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'high fliers' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for kites that I've seen before include "aircraft" , "Small hawks" , "They're flown in the wind at the end of a string" , "Birds of prey - flying toys" , "Aerial toys; birds" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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