Lowell "Skip" Bailey

Biography

Skip Bailey serves as Assistant Director for Flight Training, Chief Ground Instructor and Flight Team Head Coach for the University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute. In these roles, he oversees flight training operations, instructs pilot certification courses, mentors flight students and supervises contract flight instructors. Before joining UNO, Bailey served more than 25 years as a pilot in the United States Air Force, retiring as a lieutenant colonel with more than 5,200 flight hours. His work at UNO focuses on advancing the safety, quality, competence and professionalism of the Aviation Institute’s flight students.

Credentials, Certifications & Awards

Professional Credentials

• Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force (Retired)
• Chief Ground Instructor, UNO Aviation Institute
• More than 5,200 military flight hours
• Military aircraft experience in the KC-135, EC-135, KC-10 and E-4B

Professional Award

• 2024 National Intercollegiate Flying Association Coach of the Year

Military Awards and Decorations

• Bronze Star Medal
• Three Meritorious Service Medals
• Two Air Medals
• Five Aerial Achievement Medals
• Air Force Commendation Medal
• Air Force Achievement Medal
• Kosovo Campaign Medal
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal

Education

• Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, University of South Carolina
• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Affairs, Criminal Justice Concentration, Indiana University

Courses

• AVN 2170 – Instrument Theory
• AVN 4060 – Advanced Air Transportation and Flight Operations

Professional Experience

University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute

• Assistant Director of Flight Training
• Chief Ground Instructor
• Head Coach of the Omaha Flying Mavs Flight Team

United States Air Force

Bailey served more than 25 years in the United States Air Force before retiring as a lieutenant colonel in May 2016. He accumulated more than 5,200 flight hours in the KC-135, EC-135, KC-10 and E-4B and traveled to 38 countries across six continents.

During his military career, Bailey flew five U.S. Secretaries of Defense on missions around the world. He also spent four years as commander of Air Force ROTC Detachment 630 at Kent State University.

Bailey completed five operational deployments supporting:

• Operation Southern Watch
• Operation Allied Force
• Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Operation Enduring Freedom

During his yearlong deployment to Afghanistan, he served as deputy commander at Shindand Air Base.

Community Leadership

• Member, Papillion-La Vista Community Schools Board of Education
• Former board president, vice president and secretary
• Currently serving his sixth year and second term on the board