Facts and Figures on the Evolution of Flight

[SimonFunnell]

I was wondering if I could get some clear answers on the evolution of flight, I am aware flight has evolved in 4 different types but I wanted to focus on mammals. My questions are as follows:

 

What was the first creature to fly?

What did it evolve from?

How did the faculty of flight propagate (i.e. how many generations/mutations did it take to get from non-flying animal to flying animal)?

What are the fossils to support this?

 

Thanks very much for responses!

 

[Acme]

Vertebrate Flight Exhibit @ Berkely

[Robittybob1]

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/vertebrates/flight/bats.htm