Final answer:
When cleared for the 'option', pilots at a tower-controlled field can execute a touch-and-go, stop-and-go, or a full-stop landing, offering flexibility for training or proficiency maneuvers.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a pilot is cleared for the 'option' by air traffic control at a tower-controlled field during approach to landing, it implies that the pilot has the discretion to perform a variety of landing maneuvers.
These maneuvers can include a touch-and-go, where the aircraft briefly touches down on the runway before taking off again; a stop-and-go, where the aircraft lands, comes to a complete stop, then takes off again; or a full-stop landing, where the aircraft lands and comes to a complete stop with the intention of taxiing off the runway.
This clearance provides flexibility during flight training or when performing proficiency maneuvers, allowing the pilot to make a last-minute decision on the type of landing based on the situation or training needs.