UNO Flight Team Coach Wins National Coach of the Year

Lowell ‘Skip’ Bailey, Coach of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Flight Team, The Flying Mavs, was selected as the 2025 National Coach of the Year at the 2025 SAFECON for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association. Bailey joined the UNO Flying Mavs in Fall 2018, first as Assistant Coach and, as of Fall 2023, as Head Coach and Faculty Advisor.

During this tenure, the team has consistently qualified for National SAFECON, continuing a 16-year streak of national appearances and maintaining a position among the top teams in the country for the past six consecutive years. His coaching efforts have helped develop a generation of collegiate aviators, many of whom now serve as commercial pilots, instructors, military officers, and aviation leaders across the United States.

Before his career in collegiate aviation, Bailey served for over 25 years in the United States Air Force, flying various heavy aircraft in missions of significant national importance. His final military assignment was flying the E-4B “Nightwatch” aircraft out of Offutt Air Force Base, supporting the Secretary of Defense and the National Command Authority as part of the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC) mission. This extraordinary background brings both depth and gravity to his leadership in aviation education. The following sections address the judging criteria for this award and provide a comprehensive justification for Bailey’s nomination.

He is the embodiment of professionalism in both demeanor and conduct. Whether preparing students for rigorous competition, interfacing with university leadership, or representing UNO at national events, Skip maintains a calm, principled, and deliberate presence. His military background, including supporting the Secretary of Defense on the E-4B platform, required the highest standards of discretion, reliability, and discipline, which he continues to uphold in his civilian and academic leadership roles.

Bailey instills the same expectations for behavior, accountability, and professionalism in his students. Whether on the ramp, in a briefing, or engaging with peers, team members are taught to operate with the utmost respect for protocols, procedures, and one another. He ensures that every member of the UNO Flight Team understands the privilege and responsibility of representing their institution and NIFA. His influence on team culture is unmistakable and widely respected throughout the region.

Scott Vlasek, director of the UNO Aviation Institute, said, “I am so proud of Skip and all that he continues to do for the Flying Mavs. When I transitioned from Head Coach to Director of the UNO Aviation Institute in 2023, there was no doubt that Skip was the right person to assume leadership of the team. His seamless transition into the Head Coach role reflects the respect he commands from students. He is a source of constant encouragement, mentoring students not only in competition strategy, but also in how to carry themselves as professionals in the aviation industry.”

As an educator, Bailey is both methodical and compassionate. His instructional philosophy blends technical precision with a deep understanding of human factors and learning psychology. He adapts his coaching to meet each student’s learning style and experience level, ensuring that no one is left behind and every team member is positioned for success.

His coaching sessions incorporate scenario-based learning, flight safety principles, CRM techniques, and in-depth performance reviews modeled on military debriefings. Skip also makes time for informal mentorship, advising students on FAA certification pathways, career planning, time management, and professionalism. His instructional influence is reflected in the number of former team members who have become flight instructors, commercial pilots, and leaders in aviation safety.

The Flying Mavs’ longstanding history of SAFECON success has continued under his leadership. For the past six years, during which Bailey has served as assistant or head coach, the team has consistently finished among the Top 10 in the nation. This impressive achievement is a result of meticulous preparation, strategic event specialization, and a relentless commitment to continuous improvement.

During this period, individual and team placings have remained strong across multiple events, with particular growth in navigation, simulated flight, and CRM-based competitions. Under his guidance, the team not only competes with excellence but also upholds the spirit of NIFA through cooperation, sportsmanship, and respect for all participants. Bailey's coaching philosophy has kept the Flying Mavs competitive at the highest levels while never compromising the educational and character-building values at the heart of collegiate aviation.

For additional questions or comments, please contact Scott Vlasek at svlasek@unomaha.edu or 402.554.3785, or Skip Bailey at lbaileyjr@unomaha.edu or 402.554.6722.