Gil's flyer is not the first heavier-than-air craft we see in the comic, although it seems to be the first (more-or-less) working model. There's a model of one in Agatha's room✣ — see the upper right corner of the first panel.--72.148.40.181 01:10, 15 May 2009 (UTC)
Welllll... I hate to be a wet blanket, but when I went to grab a picture of it, it's not. Heavier than air, I mean. Look:
Your example - notice the large body/fuselage... and the tailfins... and the gondola.
One of the craft at the Castle Wulfenbach - the fixed wings are at the top of the gondola instead of the dorsal attachment.
Gil's transport from the Castle to the Great Hospital. I suspect this may be one of the Medical Corps ships, since it's designed for speed. Midline wing attachment, and a turret.
Apparently there are fixed-wing lighter than air craft with the supplemental engines for increased speed. They still wouldn't have the efficiency of Gil's flyer, due to aerodynamics/drag (I'm pretty sure) but in comparison to what else is out there, they are likely very fast and perfect for couriers and medical evac.
