CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash	$ 5,071	$ 5,148
Notes and accounts receivable	1,862	2,697
Income tax receivable	210	1,395
Inventories
Raw materials	6,245	6,216
Work in process	2,134	1,048
Finished goods	151	240
Total inventory	8,530	7,504
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	767	829
Total current assets	16,440	17,573
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
Land and building	4,044	4,027
Aircraft	6,723	6,723
Machinery and equipment	3,494	3,714
Office furniture and fixtures	6,451	6,358
Leasehold improvements	4,060	4,060
Property, plant and equipment, gross	24,772	24,882
Accumulated depreciation	(11,404)	(9,435)
Total property, plant and equipment	13,368	15,447
SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATES (net of amortization of $2,643 at January 31, 2014 and $2,604 at April 30, 2013)	1,976	2,014
OTHER ASSETS:
Deferred tax asset	1,727	1,303
Other assets (net of accumulated amortization of $2,191 at January 31, 2014 and $1,213 at April 30, 2013)	7,604	7,523
Total other assets	9,331	8,826
Total Assets	41,115	43,860
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Line of credit	1,744	1,377
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	4,263	4,551
Accounts payable	1,251	1,509
Customer deposits	1,080	193
Gaming facility mandated payment	1,009	1,337
Compensation and compensated absences	989	1,045
Other current liabilities	256	119
Total current liabilities	10,592	10,131
LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS, NET OF CURRENT MATURITIES:	7,665	10,155
Total liabilities	18,257	20,286
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, par value $.01: authorized 100,000,000 shares issued and outstanding 59,619,173 shares at January 31, 2014 and 59,619,173 shares at April 30, 2013	596	596
Capital contributed in excess of par	13,056	13,034
Treasury stock at cost, 600,000 shares	(732)	(732)
Retained Earnings	7,168	8,022
Total stockholders' equity Butler National Corporation	20,088	20,920
Noncontrolling Interest in BHCMC, LLC	2,770	2,654
Total stockholders' equity	22,858	23,574
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	41,115	43,860
Preferred Class A [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock	0	0
Preferred Class B [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock	$ 0	$ 0