The software in the four-seater Piper Warrior light plane will allow Mr Cunningham to receive constant updates on the plane's height, position and speed at the touch of a button.
Considered the world's most advanced sun-powered plane, the Solar Impulse took off from Moffett Field in Mountain View at first light for a two-hour practice run in advance of a planned multi-city, cross-country tour.
Investigators will try to figure out why the plane made such a steep descent into the home and whether the weather conditions -- light rain and low clouds -- played any role, he said.