Option (short approach/ long landing)

[spoolinup22]

So if your clear for the option which includes the short approach and long landing, why does ATC want to know if we will do the either of these? Is it more just for their knowledge to figure out your taxi route now that it will be further down, or if someone is trying to get out before you land they know your swooping in rather quickly?

Where I'm at, tower get "finicky" if you dont tell them short approach, never been issued or asked for a long landing but I've heard it before at other airports

 

[MikeD]

So if your clear for the option which includes the short approach and long landing, why does ATC want to know if we will do the either of these? Is it more just for their knowledge to figure out your taxi route now that it will be further down, or if someone is trying to get out before you land they know your swooping in rather quickly?

Where I'm at, tower get "finicky" if you dont tell them short approach, never been issued or asked for a long landing but I've heard it before at other airports

Is that approved with an "option" clearance? To me, Option is only T&G, low approach, S&G, go around, and full stop as per normal pattern operations. If Im doing a full stop that isn't "normal" or something non-standard, such as a short approach / long landing; I will request that from tower, because it might get in the way of other traffic departing/arriving or with their planned traffic pattern flow.

 

[spoolinup22]

Is that approved with an "option" clearance? To me, Option is only T&G, low approach, S&G, go around, and full stop as per normal pattern operations. If Im doing a full stop that isn't "normal" or something non-standard, such as a short approach / long landing; I will request that from tower, because it might get in the way of other traffic departing/arriving or with their planned traffic pattern flow.

I had always been taught that a short approach was always included with the option. There have been times where I have had traffic in front of me and I've had to reference that, but it wasn't something that I needed to always ask for.

 

[///AMG]

I'd assume they get pissy with a short approach because it can potentially cut off other aircraft they have sequenced to land, or in the case of a T&G, put you in the crosswind too soon. I agree with Mike on the "option" clearance, and honestly, if I'm cleared to land, cleared for the option, whatever, I own the runway until I'm either safely stopped, or I have safely gone around.

 

[spoolinup22]

So should I start asking/ requesting for the short approach now? I guess that if they clear me for the option while I'm on downwind, that I can get to the runway and way I would like. Most of the time were cleared on dw and if there is traffic they reference it for us.

 

[MikeD]

I'd assume they get pissy with a short approach because it can potentially cut off other aircraft they have sequenced to land, or in the case of a T&G, put you in the crosswind too soon. I agree with Mike on the "option" clearance, and honestly, if I'm cleared to land, cleared for the option, whatever, I own the runway until I'm either safely stopped, or I have safely gone around.

So should I start asking/ requesting for the short approach now? I guess that if they clear me for the option while I'm on downwind, that I can get to the runway and way I would like. Most of the time were cleared on dw and if there is traffic they reference it for us.

The only reason I advise tower of a short approach is due to the "non-standard" nature of it. All of the other items covered in the Option clearance utilize a "standard" traffic pattern. Example: Im downwind abeam and cleared option. As I start my short approach, tower.....thinking he has time for me doing a "normal" pattern......issues a takeoff clearance for an aircraft holding short; not realizing that Im cutting a short turn, and now there's a separation/collision hazard.

 

[Pilotforhire587]

I always requested a short approach when I wanted one but I believe that if you are in the pattern and another aircraft is straight in and has been cleared to land in front of you it is the towers responsibility to inform you of such. Not that I am not going to have my eyes peeled, just saying.