When approaching an airport NORDO, what is crucial to monitor during landing attempts?

When approaching an airport NORDO (No Radio), monitoring visual signals from the control tower is crucial for a safe landing. Since there is no communication with air traffic control, pilots must rely on established visual communication protocols. This includes observing any flags, lights, or signals from the control tower that indicate runway conditions, active runways, or any special procedures the pilot needs to follow. These visual cues are essential for maintaining safety and ensuring that the pilot can effectively coordinate their landing approach without traditional radio communication.

In contrast, weather patterns, while always important, do not specifically address the unique challenges faced during a NORDO approach. ATC communications are irrelevant in this context since the focus is on operations where no communication is possible. Monitoring surrounding air traffic movements is also important generally for situational awareness but does not provide the specific guidance or directives that visual signals from the control tower would in a NORDO situation.