A320 emergency memory items
 

Does everyone else have to memorise 11 emergency checklists for the A320 for their airline?

Seems odd to have so much compared to say the 737, and given the A320 is more automated too.
Clearly its possible to memorize it at the end of the day, but I would have thought given the way that the poor old brain works this is very taxing to have to store away.

Hi,

The memory Items are listed in FCOM-PRO-AEP-MEM.
Those must be know without reference to the manuals, it’s 10 of them.

Then…

Actions related to PWS cautions and warnings have migrated to the FCTM from the FCOM memory items a few years ago, so technically speaking they are not “memory items” but as they became “techniques” it’s still required to know the content by memory, as it would be slightly unpractical to pullout the FCTM while on the takeoff run below 100 kts to check what the required action is for a PWS warning.

Then…

Pilot incapacitation. That goes without saying… what to do/how. You’re on your own, better have a good idea on what’s the course of actions.

Then…

Engine failure in cruise… initial actions to be know by memory and acted promptly, otherwise it’s likely to end up in an upset condition, especially close to REC MAX.

As a general consideration, the vast majority of what is written in the FCTM has major operational impact if known/not known, so get yourself some time to go through it on a regular basis, together with Normal and Abnormal SOPs, Limitations and Memory Items. That’s quite enough to be protected on the “need to know” side.
p.s. An operational working knowledge of the systems is always assumed to be there…

There are actually 10 memory items. And yes, they have to be committed to memory, as stated in the FCTM regarding Memory Items.

some major US airlines have NO emergency procedure memory items for the Airbus.

How do they tackle say stall, loss of braking or GPWS ask for QRH? Memory items are initial actions have to be immediately carried out without reference.

Agreed, calling suspect on this…

So I can imagine something like…

-”Hey… it’s not decelerating?!”
-”Oh… really?”
-“Yes! Hang on… I think there’s a procedure for that in the FCOM!”
-“Yes there is this loss of braking thing… I’ll get it quickly”
-“Yes go ahead… found it?”
-“Mmmm.. almost”
-“Damn… never mind we’ve stopped in the grass anyway…”

I really doubt the FAA would be happy with the above ;-)

Offcourse you memorise lots of things. Entire SOP, normal procedures, STD call outs. It's all from memory. So are some abnormalities that need to be tackled with memory items first them ECAM, QRH or whatever.