"On 8/25/2024 two Letters of Agreement (LOA) went into effect between DPA Tower and Illinois Aviation Academy (IAA). The two LOAs will have limited impact on the operation for aircraft not participating, however here are some of the key points so that those not involved know what procedures are being followed. At this time the actual documents will not be made public.
The first LOA created 6 colored taxi routes and will be used on frequency as follows:
“Taxi via the Red Route, Cross runway 10”
“Runway 20L, taxi via the Brown route, Cross Runway 33 Hold Short Runway 28”
The second LOA created VFR departure/arrival procedures which are as follows:
Departures Fly the Runway Extended Centerline until passing 1500 MSL, then a turn of no more than 30 degrees in the direction of your course is authorized for destinations west of DPA, East of DPA must continue straight ahead. Leaving 2500 MSL on course is approved in all directions.
Arrivals are to cross the DPA Class D boundary at or below 2000 MSL from all directions.
The creation of these LOAs also created the callsign “Academy” which is only to be used by IAA affiliated aircraft that are familiar with and complying with LOA procedures. Voluntary participation by any other pilots will be their own decision and ATC will not expect compliance unless the Academy callsign is used.
Additionally, there has been a recent uptick in 06C (Schaumburg Airport) departures and arrivals causing arrivals into DPA to respond to TCAS RAs (Resolution Advisories) and forcing go arounds. To avoid these RAs and subsequent go arounds we ask all 06C departures to the west and arrivals from the west to avoid over flying the GPS Fix FRTZZ (5NM Final for RWY 20R) above 1800 MSL (DPA Arrivals will cross FRTZZ at 2500 MSL), and for additional safety we ask you monitor DPA Tower on 120.9 as the tower may reach out on frequency to help avoid the conflict before it develops. Alternative routings would also be appreciated such as flying Southwest bound and requesting a transition through the Class D before going West (we are always happy to accommodate when we can). Flying further Northwest may also help alleviate the issue, however we ask you not climb above 2000 MSL until crossing the extended centerline of Runway 20R. It is also worth bearing in mind that this is typically an issue when DPA is utilizing the RNAV RWY 20R approach, we strongly recommend you listen to the ATIS to determine whether the approach is in use and this additional caution is needed.
Any questions related to these procedures can be directed to the DPA Local Safety Council and can be reached at [email protected]. The facility can be reached at (630) 587-7800"