Consolidated Statements of Income (Parentheticals) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Available Cash Distribution	$ 20,427cpa17_DistributionsOfAvailableCash	$ 16,899cpa17_DistributionsOfAvailableCash	$ 14,620cpa17_DistributionsOfAvailableCash

Amount of cash generated from operations, excluding capital proceeds, as reduced by operating expenses and debt service, exluding prepayments and lump-sum or "balloon" payments, that is available to distribute to the advisor.

No definition available.

Name:	cpa17_DistributionsOfAvailableCash
Namespace Prefix:	cpa17_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration