I'm based at DPA (and technically 06C and PWK and 3CK and a little at ARR).
Filing? about 10-15nm out ORD App will ask you to cancel because no IFR into 06C. You also won't get bravo clearance inbound. Sometimes you'll get it outbound. Why fly into DPA if your final destination is 06C? is it for fuel? or Aircraft Spruce? If it's to fly an approach into DPA then go missed or SVFR to 06C? If so, please give me a pirep on this - I've never heard of it being attempted. I've done pattern work in Class G there but never left sight of the airport.
From the east I would fly:
KRZL (final refueling point, sometimes KOXI is cheaper)
CGT or EON (note that by EON arrivals to ORD satellite airports are at 4000)
BOJAK (if on flight following - stay low since MDW arrivals will be at 3000-4000) or JOT (if not on FF for MDW arrivals)
- At BOJAK I'm at 2000. At JOT I'm at 2000-3000, ORD app sends IFRs to DPA over JOT at either 3000 usually
Direct (if going over JOT you'll get tfc west of 1C5 at the same altitude)
06C from the south is almost impossible to see early - you have to use landmarks.
From the south it's:
"twin towers" - right over the charted Wheaton VFR point - two identical looking apartment buildings right next to each other
"land fill" - biggest hill for miles will be just to your west
"big white box" - big rec building designating the west side of 11/29
"water tower" - big round knob looking like water tower designating the east side of 11/29
"lakes" - a series of retention pond type lakes - this is where you start your downwind for 29.
you should see the ramp after land fill and you'll see the runway by the time you're on downwind. if landing 11 it's over the field at pattern altitude.
Pattern is 1600, I descend to pattern right before the low bravo shelf. The only obstruction that you're at risk of is 2.5nm ENE of 06C, but still keep an eye out.
Landing 29 feels like you're going to land on that building - that's ok, just follow the PAPIs in. it's a really good condition airport. Once the leaves are on the trees, I'd caution anyone landing there when the winds are strong out of the south - trees create a mess of the wind across the runway. I'm taking 20+ knots and worse with gusts. In the winter or before the trees have leaves it's not as bad.
I'll look through my videos to see if i have a landing at 06C.
As far as the airport itself, you must eat at Pilot Pete's. It has good Uber access and is pretty close to a Metra (metropolitan rail - goes to Chicago). There is a repair facility - FBO is Revv Aviation (for now). Tie downs are cheap or free (i think there is a cost but i've never heard of anyone really getting charged).
