Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2017	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
Selected Quarterly Financial Information
Revenue		$ 125,376	$ 53,163	$ 50,116	$ 36,218	$ 84,757	$ 67,560	$ 64,731	$ 47,050	$ 264,873	$ 264,098	$ 259,398
Gross margin		58,659	19,351	17,417	6,683	37,922	26,625	31,533	16,023	102,110	112,103	104,268
Net (loss) 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
Net (loss) income per share attributable to AeroVironment—basic		$ 1.32	$ (0.09)	$ (0.18)	$ (0.51)	$ 0.23	$ 0.27	$ 0.19	$ (0.30)	$ 0.54	$ 0.39	$ 0.13
Net (loss) income per share attributable to AeroVironment—diluted		$ 1.30	$ (0.09)	$ (0.18)	$ (0.51)	$ 0.23	$ 0.27	$ 0.19	$ (0.30)	$ 0.54	$ 0.39	$ 0.13
Number of weeks										91 days
Uncertain tax positions, including interest					$ 968
Other than temporary impairment of available-for-sale securities											$ 2,186
Cost of Revenue										$ 162,763	$ 151,995	$ 155,130
Out-of-Period Adjustments
Selected Quarterly Financial Information
Out of period expenses related to sales and use tax and capital leases							$ 900
ASBC
Selected Quarterly Financial Information
Cost of Revenue								$ 3,500		$ 3,607
Altoy | Other income
Selected Quarterly Financial Information
Gain recognized	$ 584