41 Across

NYT Daily • July 31, 2025

Agcy. watching the skies

Answer:

FAA

Hint:

["**Hint:** This U.S. organization oversees air travel and safety.\n\n*(This hint simplifies the clue by directly referencing the agency's primary function without repeating \"watching the skies\" or giving away the abbreviation.)*"]

Explanation:

**Explanation:** The clue "Agcy. watching the skies" leads to the answer **"FAA"** through the following breakdown: 1. **"Agcy."** is an abbreviation for "agency," indicating that the answer is the name of a government organization. 2. **"Watching the skies"** hints at an agency responsible for aviation or airspace oversight. 3. The **FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)** is the U.S. agency that regulates and monitors air traffic and aviation safety—literally "watching the skies." The wordplay relies on recognizing the abbreviation and the agency's role in aviation. No additional puns or cultural references are needed here; the clue is a straightforward definition with an abbreviated indicator.

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