Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - (Loss) earnings per share (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 29, 2022	Oct. 30, 2021	Oct. 29, 2022	Oct. 30, 2021
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Net (loss) income attributable to AeroVironment, Inc.	$ (6,668)	$ 2,525	$ (15,063)	$ (11,456)
Denominator for basic (loss) earnings per share:
Weighted average common shares	24,900,873	24,641,614	24,852,219	24,630,838
Dilutive effect of employee stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units		244,256
Denominator for diluted (loss) earbubgs per share	24,900,873	24,885,870	24,852,219	24,630,838
Number of shares reserved for issuance	0	0	0	0
Number of anti-dilutive shares	148,196	4,742	156,625	266,077