Flames Name Brad Larsen as Assistant Coach
The Calgary Flames have announced the appointment of Brad Larsen as their new assistant coach. Larsen joins the Flames after spending the past five seasons as an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Larsen brings a wealth of experience to the Flames, having coached at both the NHL and AHL levels. Prior to his time with the Blue Jackets, he served as an assistant coach with the Edmonton Oilers from 2015-18. Larsen also has head coaching experience, having led the Hershey Bears of the AHL to the Calder Cup Finals in 2015-16. Larsen is known for his strong defensive acumen and ability to develop young players. He is also considered to be a skilled communicator and motivator. “We are excited to add Brad to our coaching staff,” said Flames head coach Darryl Sutter. “He is a highly respected coach with a proven track record of success. His experience and knowledge will be valuable assets to our team.” Larsen is expected to play a significant role in the Flames’ defensive strategy and player development. He will also assist Sutter with overall team management and preparation. “I am honored to join the Calgary Flames,” said Larsen. “This is a great organization with a rich history and a bright future. I am excited to contribute to the team’s success both on and off the ice.” Larsen’s appointment fills the vacancy left by Ryan Huska, who departed the Flames earlier this summer to join the Los Angeles Kings.Airbus’ A330-900 Completes ‘Hot and High’ Flight Test Campaign in Bolivia
Airbus’ A330-900 Completes ‘Hot and High’ Flight Test Campaign in Bolivia
Airbus’ A330-900 flight test aircraft, MSN1795/F-WTTN, recently flew to Toluca in Mexico and then to La Paz in Bolivia. There, it carried out a fortnight-long “Hot and High” flight test campaign to evaluate aircraft and engine performance in hot, humid, and high-altitude airport environments. Toluca Airport is located at an altitude of 2,800 m (9,186 ft), while La Paz Airport is at 4,054 m (13,300 ft). This is not the first time that Airbus has selected Bolivia to test its aircraft. The country’s extremely hot climate and high altitude are ideal for testing the design limits of its aircraft under such operating conditions. This certification exercise aims to expand and certify the wide range of airports from which the A330neo can operate. So far, the A330neo has been certified to operate at airports with an elevation of up to 8,000 feet. However, following certification approval, expected in the first quarter of 2025, the aircraft will be able to serve airports with an altitude of up to 12,500 feet. During the campaign, the aircraft performed various tests, including takeoff and landing performance, climb and approach performance, multiple engine starts, and rejected takeoffs. The main objective was to evaluate the impact of increasing altitude on engine thrust levels and aircraft performance. A team of around 40 Airbus experts participated in the campaign, encompassing planning, logistics, maintenance, testing, and data analysis. The initial results of the tests have shown the good performance and behavior of both the aircraft and its Trent 7000 engines. Captain Franck Busnel, mission leader and one of the test pilots, summarized the campaign: “By expanding the scope of operation of the successful A330neo, we can show operators the current, or new, range that the aircraft achieves. It will have the same capability as the A330ceo in terms of high-altitude operations, with the advantage that the A330neo is much more fuel-efficient.”Flames Hire Brad Larsen as Assistant Coach The Calgary Flames have announced the hiring of Brad Larsen as an assistant coach. Larsen joins the Flames after spending the past seven seasons as the head coach of the Springfield Thunderbirds, the American Hockey League affiliate of the St. Louis Blues. Under Larsen’s leadership, the Thunderbirds won two division championships and made three appearances in the Calder Cup Finals. He also helped develop several players who have gone on to successful NHL careers, including Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas, and Ville Husso. Larsen is a former NHL player who spent 10 seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, and Atlanta Thrashers. He was known for his strong work ethic and leadership on and off the ice. Flames general manager Brad Treliving said Larsen will be a valuable addition to the coaching staff. “Brad is a highly respected coach with a proven track record of success,” Treliving said. “He is a great communicator and motivator, and he knows how to get the most out of his players. We are excited to have him join our team.” Larsen said he is excited to join the Flames and help them reach their goals. “The Flames are a first-class organization with a rich history,” Larsen said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to join the team and help them build on their success.” Larsen will join head coach Darryl Sutter and assistant coaches Ryan Huska and Kirk Muller on the Flames’ coaching staff.