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Fog keeps planes away; dark runway probably will, too By PETER WONG Fog scuttled two flights and delayed one at the Medford airport Wednesday, and a temporary lack of lights on the approach runway could result in more cancellations and delays as winter nears. The lights will be out of service until next fall, when a 2,100-foot extension of the main runway is completed at the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport. Until then, the required minimum visibility for commuter planes, such as those operated by Horizon Air and United Express, will increase from 2,400 feet to 5,000 feet. They are generally turbo-propeller planes that hold 30 or 37 passengers and fly between here and Portland or Seattle. For the larger jet planes that United Airlines operates as Shuttle by United between here and San Francisco or Los Angeles, the minimum is in the range of 4,000 to 4,500 feet. Fog collects when an air inversion develops. The inversion occurs when the lack of wind allows cold air to gradually collect on the valley floor. As the air cools, moisture condenses, and the fog thickens. "We are praying for rain," said Robert Russell, the airport operations manager. He said the lights must be out of service while preparatory work is done for the runway extension. Horizon Air reported that two of its flights did not make it to Medford Wednesday -- a 7:45 a.m. arrival from Portland and a 9:25 a.m. arrival from Seattle. Other than a single late-night flight last month, these were the first cancellations so far this season. "We've been pretty fortunate," said Dee Nelson, Medford station manager for Horizon, who has been here since 1977. "But everyone is keeping their fingers crossed. If that nasty fog rolls in, all of us are going to have to get creative." SkyWest Airlines of St. George, Utah, which operates United Express flights between here and Portland and San Francisco, said one of its flights Wednesday was delayed because of fog. Because of Medford's temporary lack of approach lights, "it probably will not be the last time," said Bo Stroyls, SkyWest's manager of corporate communications. When completed, the extension of the main runway to 8,800 feet will enable larger planes to come to Medford with passengers and cargo. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA