Definition
An ATC authorization permitting a pilot to perform a touch-and-go, low approach, missed approach, stop-and-go, or full-stop landing at the pilot's discretion. It is normally used in training environments, allowing the instructor or student to choose the type of approach and landing without requesting a separate clearance for each.
Plain English
ATC is letting you pick what kind of approach and landing you want to do — a full stop, a touch-and-go, a low pass, or a go-around — without having to ask first.
Context Anchor
Heard on tower radio calls during traffic pattern practice, especially when a pilot is practicing landings and approaches.
Derivation
The phrase uses 'option' in its everyday sense — a choice among several alternatives. The clearance simply gives the pilot the option to choose the maneuver, rather than committing to one in advance.
Why Pilots Care
It provides training flexibility and reduces radio workload by eliminating the need for separate clearances for each type of landing practice.
Intuition Check
Do not read “option” as “do anything you want.” Here it means the pilot may choose only among the approved landing or approach outcomes included in this clearance.
Example Sentence 1
Cessna 23X, you are cleared for the option, runway 27.
Example Sentence 2
After being cleared for the option the instructor decided to make a full-stop landing to practice the after-landing checklist.