Crossword Genius

Polar native lacks wings to make plane (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

skim

'plane' is the definition.
(both can mean to move quickly through air)

'polar native lacks wings' is the wordplay.
'polar native' becomes 'eskimo'.
'lacks wings' indicates the central letters (the side letters or wings are removed).
The central letters of 'eskimo' are 'SKIM'.

'to make' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for skim that I've seen before include "Remove top layer; read bits of" , "Move lightly over a surface" , "Pass swiftly and lightly over the surface" , "Quickly flip through" , "Remove (cream from milk)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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