What altitude should a NORDO aircraft maintain while crossing an airport for landing information?

A NORDO (no radio) aircraft should maintain an altitude at least 500 feet above the circuit height while crossing an airport to gather landing information. This guidance is essential for ensuring safe separation from other aircraft that may be operating in the traffic pattern, as the circuit height is the altitude at which these aircraft are typically maneuvering.

Maintaining this buffer of 500 feet helps to avoid conflicts with other traffic and keeps the NORDO aircraft clear of any potential hazards that may exist in the approach or traffic pattern. Additionally, staying above the circuit height allows the pilot to visually observe the airport operations and determine an appropriate joining point to enter the pattern once they have visually confirmed that it is safe to do so.

When flying near an airport, a pilot of a NORDO aircraft must be particularly vigilant, and adhering to this altitude recommendation is a critical practice for safety in the airspace around active airports.

This rationale clearly supports the choice, as it directly relates to maintaining visibility and safety while interacting with other flying activities in a given area.