What type of engineer was Christopher Cockerell?

Christopher Cockerell was a notable mechanical engineer best known for inventing the hovercraft. His work focused on the application of principles from mechanical engineering to solve practical problems, such as developing a vehicle that could travel over land and water with ease. Cockerell's education and professional contributions primarily revolved around mechanics and engineering processes, making "mechanical engineer" the correct designation.

His innovations in concepts like air-cushion vehicles stem from a deep understanding of physics and mechanical systems, illustrating how his background in mechanical engineering directly led to significant advancements in transportation. This context solidifies why the identification as a mechanical engineer accurately reflects his expertise and contributions to the field.