The test pilot for the first work with airships and trapeze landing was Jake Gorton, in 1929. He had earlier set cross country records and later was the first test pilot for the XPY-1 flying boat. In WW-II he commanded Banana River Naval Air Station at Cocoa Beach FL. The 3 Navy houses built for him, his XO, and his Engineer Officer on the beach at BRNAS still stand – from 1990 to 1994 I lived in the one Captain Gorton originally occupied.

BRNAS is now Patrick Air Force Base.

http://www.unrealaircraft.com/forever/skyhook.php

http://books.google.com/books?id=Tsur8_aYdlwC&pg=PA127&lpg=PA127&dq=jake+gorton+trapeze&source=bl&ots=LF6wQbLaZ8&sig=gfZKPh83LYssY4iC7g0UFwp3GVM&hl=en&ei=Gxd3S47XJJ6ltgfljsmyAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CBMQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=jake%20gorton%20trapeze&f=false