Impact of Adoption of New Accounting Standards - Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 27, 2018	Oct. 28, 2017	Oct. 27, 2018	Oct. 28, 2017
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net income	$ 6,050	$ 7,517	$ 33,366	$ 1,635
Other comprehensive income:
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments	(11)		(31)
Unrealized gain on investments, net of deferred tax expense of $17 for the three months ended October 28, 2017, respectively		26	57	29
Total comprehensive income	6,039	7,543	33,392	1,664
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	7	206	21	229
Comprehensive income attributable to AeroVironment	$ 6,046	7,749	$ 33,413	1,893
Effect of the Adoption of ASC Topic 606
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net income		705		(711)
Other comprehensive income:
Total comprehensive income		705		(711)
Comprehensive income attributable to AeroVironment		705		(711)
As Reported
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net income		6,812		2,346
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain on investments, net of deferred tax expense of $17 for the three months ended October 28, 2017, respectively		26		29
Total comprehensive income		6,838		2,375
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		206		229
Comprehensive income attributable to AeroVironment		$ 7,044		$ 2,604