Essen is located below the ILS of Duesseldorf.
Mind the "C" Airspace of Duesseldorf, 1500 MSL to FL100.
A very busy Airspace, and nearly impossible to get a VFR Crossing Clearance.
The best is to fly into the Pattern from the North below 1500 ft MSL.
To avoid busy and restrikted airspaces, contact FIS, they are very helpful.
There are some small Hills in the south, up to 500 ft MSL, so coming in from the North is the better choice with marginal weather also.
German Airspace:
Uncontrolled Airspace is everywhere from Ground up to 1000/1700/2500 above GND. 1000 and 1700 only near CTR´s. Above that we have Controlled Airspace "E" up to FL100. You can fly in E Airspace without clearance, only the weather minima for E Airspace must be established.
Above 5000ft MSL Transponder is mandatory, squaking 7000.
Around busy Airports you have "C" and "D" Airspaces witch are marked green on the german ICAO Chart, protecting the IFR Traffic. A Clearance to cross is mandatory and can be obtained by FIS, or they will advise you to the apropiate ATC unit.
If possible try to get a noise certificate, without it, landingfees can double at some airports.
wish you a nice flight to my home country
Inbalance