Sending up and becoming airborne (6,3)

I believe the answer is:

taking off

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'sending' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being present participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for taking off that I've seen before include "Removing (clothes)" , "leaving the ground" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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