Refuses permission to fly - giving reasons (7)
I believe the answer is:
grounds
'reasons' is the definition.
(grounds or reasons for an action)
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for grounds that I've seen before include "Basis for belief" , "Dregs" , "Reasons" , "enclosure around house" , "Area of enclosed land around a building" .)