Crossword Genius

Pilot found in area by hill (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aviator

'pilot' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'area by hill' is the wordplay.
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'by' becomes 'via' (I've seen this in other clues).
'hill' becomes 'tor' (tor is a kind of hill).
'a'+'via'+'tor'='AVIATOR'

'found in' is the link.

(Other definitions for aviator that I've seen before include "He travels up" , "Aircraft pilot" , "one in a crate?" , "One flying aircraft" , "Pilot; style of sunglasses" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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