Pilots not in favour of demonstrations (5)
I believe the answer is:
tests
'pilots' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to thinking as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'not in favour of demonstrations' is the wordplay.
'not' is a deletion indicator.
'in favour of' becomes 'pro' (I've seen this before).
'demonstrations' becomes 'protests' (I've seen this before).
'protests' with 'pro' removed is 'TESTS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tests that I've seen before include "International cricket matches" , "Trials, exams" , "Trials to see if something works" , "Critically examines" , "Trials -- tribulations" .)