The Option

[B-rad]

Can someone please explain to me what is the point of calling on final with the option or requesting the option? and where this started.

[Hawkeye4077]

Don`t know where it started but it gives you the "Option" to land, overshoot, touch and go whatever pleases you.

Same thing for take off, option to take off normally, to reject ect.


Hawk

[aviator2010]

Don`t know where it started but it gives you the "Option" to land, overshoot, touch and go whatever pleases you.

Same thing for take off, option to take off normally, to reject ect.


Hawk

please tell me that's for avoiding a CADOR cause if you don't think you always have the option then the wrong person is in control of the airplane

[B-rad]

Is this really necessary? I don't understand why this is needed or done.

[Cat Driver]

Where have you heard that on the radio?

In fifty six years of flying in around fifty different countries I have never heard anyone say that.

[Av_Av]

"The Option" is really meant to be used for training. The idea is to be able to set up an "unplanned" go-around without the student knowing. If you ask for "the option", they don't really know for sure if a go-around or a completed landing is coming. Of course, it's only moderately effective since asking for "the option" is a clue to the student that something is up. Outside training, I'm not aware of any situations where you'd want to use "the option".

As far as I know, "the option" isn't formally defined anywhere (maybe in ATC MANOPS, which I've never actually seen). I've had one controller tell me that "the option" doesn't include allowance for a double touch-and-go, while another controller has told me that a double is fair game when you get an "option" clearance. Allowing a double would be an added benefit since it enables us to practice the engine failure on takeoff, or a rejected takeoff for any other reason. But there seems to be some inconsistency in how the clearance is used. Any ATC folks reading who would like to weigh in?

Incidentally, the first time I ever heard "the option" was from military controllers (I've worked, as a civilian, out of two military airports). I've only heard it a few times from civilians and in very recent years. Maybe it's a military term that's slowly making it's way over into the civi world?

[Cat Driver]

If you have to reject a take off or a landing for any reason since when did you need permission to reject it?

[B-rad]

Ok Av_Av, I can buy that. I know we have gotten by many years without having to use it but if it is working better for students I guess I'll give it a try too. But I don't want any students to think for one second that "the option" isn't coming up, even when it hasn't been requested, except for day 1

In actuality, I don't really think this to be of any benefit once you have passed the solo level or on a flight test

[snoopy]

As Av_Av says, it's used for training - but not just to keep the student or victim of initial or recurrent training unaware of the impending scenario you plan to spring on them. Requesting the option also lets ATC in on the loop, which precludes your "option" from inconveniencing others if ATC is planning arrivals/departures with your training activities sandwiched in the middle. The "option" usually provides for several actions, such as reject (t/o or land), touch and go, stop and go, and/or some kind of simulated emergency near the runway environment. Sure, in real life, you always have the option to reject, but it IMHO it would be a bit unfair to impose an unnecessary "surprise", which may adversely impact other traffic.

I would say it is quite common - I've experienced it, and used it on others in various areas of this country at least.

"In actuality, I don't really think this to be of any benefit once you have passed the solo level or on a flight test"

Well B-rad, this may be true if you never plan to progress pass a private license, or add any ratings, or check out in any new aircraft types, or be employed as a pilot where initial and annual training are required.

Cheers,
Kirsten B.

[Av_Av]

If you have to reject a take off or a landing for any reason since when did you need permission to reject it?

You don't. However, rejecting a takeoff or landing (at a controlled aerodrome) means deviating from an accepted clearance. You can do this, but then need to inform ATC as soon as possible. In the case of a planned training maneuver, "as soon as possible" translates to "in advance".

The downside of advanced notice is that now the student knows what's coming. Once the stick-and-rudder skills of the maneuvers are learned, there's value in "surprise" go-arounds and rejected takeoffs. The (admittedly limited) element of surprise provided by "the option", when managed properly, can help us develop effective decision making skills.

[B-rad]

Well B-rad, this may be true if you never plan to progress pass a private license, or add any ratings, or check out in any new aircraft types, or be employed as a pilot where initial and annual training are required.

oh no? are you sure? where then can I but this option?? Cuz I'm sure I'll never figure it out without it!!

If you're at a higher level of flying, you are usually always taking these things into consideration and I would hope that ATC would be too. If you are on a training flight, generally people know and should expect some kind of training maneuver through any stage of the flight. And if the Instructor or Examiner was going to have these surprises come in the way of other Aircraft then they should be planning it better!

[Pratt X 3]

Nobody read the AIM anymore? Maybe they should send a copy out to all licenced pilots and use the money they collect for the medical fee to cover the expenses. What a great idea; how come no one has thought of that before?

4.4.3 Landing Clearance
The “cleared for the option” procedure has been introduced to give a pilot the option to make a touch-and-go, low approach, missed approach, stop-and-go, or a full stop landing. This procedure will normally be used during light traffic conditions.

Pilot: VICTORIA TOWER, ALFA BRAVO CHARLIE, DOWNWIND RUNWAY 27, REQUEST THE OPTION.

Tower: ALFA BRAVO CHARLIE, CLEARED FOR THE OPTION RUNWAY 27.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/publi ... .htm#4-4-3

[B-rad]

Great! Thanks! That's more what I was looking for. Something that spells it out right from TC. I love when they try to simplify aviation so anyone can do it!

[Cat Driver]

I just had a look at my RAC and it is dated April 13/2006.

What was the last published book date?

[Av_Av]

Nobody read the AIM anymore?

Ha! And here I thought, "Maybe I should look it up in the AIM before I reply to the post". But then I thought, "Nah! I've looked it up before and it wasn't there, so why bother?". It's not in Cat's 2006 AIM, but I've been hearing and using it since '98. So I guess the authors of the AIM are a little slow on the uptake .

[Pratt X 3]

Actually, it appears word for word in the October 27, 2005 version of the AIM as well as the old AIP Canada that I have kicking around.

[Meatservo]

I miss the AIP. I liked it better than the AIM.

[snoopy]

Me too! It was the most exciting document I was issued after my license - everything you need to know to be a pilot. Scrolling through an uncooperative .pdf file somehow just isn't the same as flipping through a binder with your name on it. Sigh.

Cheers,
Kirsten B.

[aviator2010]

.

[Tim]

If you have to reject a take off or a landing for any reason since when did you need permission to reject it?

i think the point was if atc KNEW you were about to reject it could make their lives a lot easier in the coming minutes, hence the benefit in the training environment. they can deal with it one way or the other, but its nice to help (gets you brownie points with the controllers that you can cash in later too)

[Wilbur]

"The option" was published by TC at least 20-25 years ago.

[Cat Driver]

It's not in Cat's 2006 AIM,

Oh it is in my copy of the AIM alright, but I obviously missed it somehow or the other.

Maybe the reason I never heard that phrase used is because I was not flying in Canada for many, many years and thus did not hear it used?

[iflyforpie]

The Option is what you say when you want to do a high speed low and over without actually saying it on the radio...

[Cat Driver]

i think the point was if atc KNEW you were about to reject it could make their lives a lot easier in the coming minutes, hence the benefit in the training environment.

Makes perfect sense no doubt about it.

In the training environment it also gives the student a heads up and they say to them self, get ready for a reject.

Yup how stupid of me to not have figured all this out before.

[snoopy]

As stated by several above, "the option" encompasses more than just "reject"

The main point is in being courteous to other aircraft, and ATC so that your training activities don't surprise or inconvenience those outside the aircraft.

Cheers,
Kirsten B.