The Dreamliner: a revolution in high resolution by New Scientist

It is perhaps the most controversial aircraft of the age, so no wonder the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was the top attraction at the in the UK this week. From its televised touchdown after its first transatlantic flight to its spectacular departure climb-out with a Supermarine Spitfire at each wingtip, the machine had rubbernecking aviation geeks enthralled.

The plane's all-carbon-fibre design has attracted much controversy, though. Not since the ill-fated De Havilland Comet became the first plane to have a pressurised aluminium cabin in the 1950s has the industry made such a major switch to a new material. This has thrown up new problems and new challenges for Boeing.

To compound its problems, the firm has also had a long list of quality problems with many of its outsourced parts, delaying the plane's completion. However, it now has 866 orders from airlines, and the plane should be in service by early next year.