The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).

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The expense charged against earnings for the period pertaining to standard and extended warranties on the entity's goods and services granted to customers.

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Amount of increase (decrease) in the standard product warranty accrual from changes in estimates attributable to preexisting product warranties. Excludes extended product warranties.

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Warranty Reserves Estimated Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Jan. 28, 2017	Oct. 29, 2016	Jul. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016	Jan. 30, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Aug. 01, 2015	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015
Warranty Reserves
Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Preexisting, Increase (Decrease)									$ 1,651	$ (424)
Standard Product Warranty Accrual	$ 3,231				$ 4,134				3,231	4,134	$ 2,653
Net income attributable to AeroVironment	$ 30,476	$ (2,183)	$ (4,172)	$ (11,642)	$ 5,364	$ 6,164	$ 4,419	$ (6,981)	$ 12,479	$ 8,966	$ 2,895
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.30	$ (0.09)	$ (0.18)	$ (0.51)	$ 0.23	$ 0.27	$ 0.19	$ (0.30)	$ 0.54	$ 0.39	$ 0.13
Warranty reserve.
Warranty Reserves
Net income attributable to AeroVironment									$ (1,034)
Diluted (in dollars per share)									$ (0.04)
UAS
Warranty Reserves
Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Preexisting, Increase (Decrease)									$ 1,651
Standard Product Warranty Accrual	$ 441								441
Product Warranty Expense									$ 1,762