Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Government Contracts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2022	Jul. 31, 2021
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Net loss attributable to AeroVironment, Inc.	$ (8,395)	$ (13,981)
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
Weighted average common shares	24,804,232	24,620,180
Denominator for diluted loss per share	24,804,232	24,620,180
Number of shares reserved for issuance	0	0
Number of anti-dilutive shares	164,312	279,978