Hi All,
The most challenging task in the cockpit, at any given moment, is managing the risk presented to the crew. It is as simple as that. The Qantas skipper did exactly that and as a result was able to maintain safe oversight of what was happening.
The rule of: Fly, Navigate, Communicate (in that order) will help to mitigate some of the threats. Above all else it puts the basic priorities in the correct sequence. Indeed, this is what Airbus's failure management model is based on.
For an example of another well handled emergency, look up the Swiss A340 out of ZRH with an oil over-temp. This highlights all the good things we try to instill in our crews, including the realisation that no-one is actually flying the aircraft. The FO (who is PF) demonstrates this admirably and gets herself back in the groove when she feels herself getting suckered in.
It is also a great example of the complexity of language that pilots whose first language is not English face. I have a new found respect for my foreign colleagues after watching it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEf35NtlBLg
Hope that helps.
BS