"The described technique cannot engage or control the aircraft's autopilot system using the (Flight Management System) or prevent a pilot from overriding the autopilot, " the FAA said.
Its terrain-following radar can be linked to the aircraft's autopilot - so the plane itself can follow the contours of the landscape at a height of just 100 ft (30 m).
This eye-opening report from Boeing scarily documents examples of laptops interrupting autopilot control, forcing aircraft to make turns and other portentous behavior.