Clay-pigeon shooting is part of an air gunner's course in Britain’s royal air force. From a mobile gun turret similar to the one in the cockpit of his airplane, the gunner plays a machine gun on the clay pigeon, when it is released from the trap, and makes as many hits as possible. Combining fun with the serious business of target practice, the method develops the machine gunner's accuracy quickly, which is vitally important in warfare, since frequently the first shots will put an enemy plane out of action.