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Priest left by chopper, dropping PC here? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

heliport

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'chopper dropping pc here?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'priest left by' is the wordplay.
'priest' becomes 'heli' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'left' becomes 'port' (left side of a ship - opposite of starboard).
'by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'heli'+'port'='HELIPORT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for heliport that I've seen before include "Help trio (anag.)" , "Landing-place" , "Transport station" , "Landing place for small aircraft" , "landing platform" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
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