A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 85; Flight Crew Total 13000; Flight Crew Type 6877
Human-Machine Interface; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Declared Emergency
While level at FL190; an Auto Thrust ECAM appeared; with associated and intermittent FMA warnings of Thrust Lock and move throttle. Subsequently; the number 1 engine retarded uncommandedly to idle. Unsure; of the exact problem; and not sure if we could hold altitude while we troubleshot the problem; we declared an emergency with Center and advised them to standby. As the pilot flying; I disconnected the autopilot; retarded both throttles to idle; and we assessed both engine indications. We ensured that the Auto Thrust system was disengaged and slowly advanced each engine throttle. No other abnormalities were encountered and both engines appeared to be operating normally. We felt the situation was safe so I rescinded the emergency declaration. During the event; there were no altitude or route deviations. Subsequently; we made a safe; hand flown approach under VMC conditions.
An A320 flight crew experienced failed autothrust capability and; after analysing their capabilities and the weather; continued utilizing continued to their destination using manual flight and thrust controls.