Definition
An ATC authorization that allows a pilot to make a touch-and-go, low approach, missed approach, stop-and-go, or full-stop landing at the pilot's discretion. It is normally used during training operations.
Plain English
ATC is telling you: pick whichever type of approach or landing you want — touch-and-go, low pass, go-around, stop-and-go, or full landing — and we'll work with it.
Context Anchor
You will usually hear this from a control tower while practicing landings in the traffic pattern.
Derivation
Option' here keeps its everyday meaning — a choice. ATC is granting the pilot a menu of acceptable choices rather than clearing them for one specific maneuver.
Why Pilots Care
Allows a pilot to adjust the maneuver in real time based on traffic, runway conditions, or training goals without requesting a new clearance.
Intuition Check
Do not read “option” as “anything you want.” In this ATC phrase, it means the pilot may choose only from the approved landing or approach outcomes covered by the clearance.
Example Sentence 1
Tower replied, 'Cessna Three-Four-Alpha, runway one-seven, cleared for the option.'
Example Sentence 2
Cleared for the option, we elected a full stop landing after checking the crosswind.