You are better than I am, I made the Airship at level 20. But I fought the Lhusu Mines boss (SPOILER)Ba'Ganman and his gang.

Anyone who got through the palace (and the following 2 missions) at level 9 or lower has my respect, it was not easy at level 10!!! Before you europeans played XII what I usually heard on the forums was to be AT LEAST level 10 to get to the castle, some got as high as level 25.