Joint Venture (Narrative) (Details) - Woodward and General Electric Joint Venture [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Agreement to Form Joint Venture, Execution Date	Jan. 04, 2016
Ownership interest, joint venture	50.00%
Other Liabilities [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Contract liabilities	$ 71,364		$ 69,079
Other Assets [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Costs to fulfill a contract	71,364		$ 69,079
Sales [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Amortization of deferred income recognized as an increase to sales	1,708	$ 1,777
Reduction to sales related to royalties paid to joint venture	$ 7,234	$ 9,182