Lindbergh initially absent from aviation contest (5)
I believe the answer is:
fight
'contest' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for fight that I've seen before include "Bundle" , "Struggle; quarrel" , "Attack or engage in combat" , "(Take part in) battle" , "Scrap" .)