Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2017	Apr. 30, 2018	Jan. 27, 2018	Oct. 28, 2017	Jul. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2017	Jan. 28, 2017	Oct. 29, 2016	Jul. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2018	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Selected Quarterly Financial Information
Revenue		$ 117,381,000	$ 53,433,000	$ 63,988,000	$ 36,250,000	$ 115,720,000	$ 41,895,000	$ 40,829,000	$ 30,496,000	$ 271,052,000	$ 228,940,000	$ 233,738,000
Gross margin		52,180,000	17,920,000	28,693,000	10,095,000	57,442,000	16,797,000	15,041,000	5,905,000	$ 108,888,000	$ 95,185,000	$ 105,574,000
Net (loss) income from attributable to AeroVironment from continuing operations		$ 20,211,000	$ (960,000)	$ 6,689,000	$ (3,364,000)	$ 28,469,000	$ (852,000)	$ (2,603,000)	$ (8,381,000)
Net (loss) income per share attributable to AeroVironment from continuing operations—basic		$ 0.86	$ (0.05)	$ 0.29	$ (0.14)	$ 1.23	$ (0.03)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.37)	$ 0.97	$ 0.72	$ 0.67
Net (loss) income per share attributable to AeroVironment from continuing operations—diluted		$ 0.85	$ (0.05)	$ 0.28	$ (0.14)	$ 1.21	$ (0.03)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.37)	$ 0.95	$ 0.72	$ 0.67
Number of weeks										91 days
Impairment of intangible assets and goodwill										$ 1,021,000
Deferred tax expense										$ 3,400,000
Uncertain tax positions, including interest									$ 1,000,000
Altoy | SG&A
Selected Quarterly Financial Information
Impairment of intangible assets and goodwill				$ 1,000,000
Altoy | Other income
Selected Quarterly Financial Information
Gain recognized	$ 584,000