Crossword Genius

What needs pilot broadcast on cable before start of run (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

airliner

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

'what needs pilot' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'broadcast on cable before start of run' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'broadcast' could be 'air' (to air on TV) and 'air' is found in the answer.
'cable' could be 'line' (synonyms) and 'line' is found within the answer.
'run' could be 'r' (cricket abbreviation) and 'r' is found in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for airliner that I've seen before include "Passenger plane" , "Eg, Jumbo, Concorde" , "Large plane" , "Large aircraft" , "Passenger craft" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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