Small flyer climbs and drops (5)

I believe the answer is:

dribs

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'drops' is the definition.
(I know this)

'small flyer climbs' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'small' could be 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size) and 's' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'drib' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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