Consolidated Statements of Income (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Income and Expenses
Available Cash Distributions	$ 24,668	$ 20,427	$ 16,899

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