CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash	$ 7,381	$ 6,195
Accounts receivable, net of allowance fo doubtful accounts	1,574	944
Inventories
Parts and raw materials	6,339	5,277
Work in process	1,349	1,364
Finished goods	275	396
Total inventory, net of allowance	7,963	7,037
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	873	862
Total current assets	17,791	15,038
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
Land and building	4,081	4,071
Aircraft	5,712	7,493
Machinery and equipment	3,630	3,612
Office furniture and fixtures	5,637	5,396
Leasehold improvements	4,032	4,081
Property, plant and equipment, gross	23,092	24,653
Accumulated depreciation	(13,218)	(13,473)
Total property, plant and equipment	9,874	11,180
SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATES (net of accumulated amortization of $2,975 at April 30, 2015 and $2,841 at April 30, 2014)	6,481	5,863
OTHER ASSETS:
Deferred tax asset	1,104	1,197
Other assets (net of accumulated amortization of $4,050 at April 30, 2015 and $2,520 at April 30, 2014)	7,447	8,320
Total other assets	8,551	9,517
Total assets	42,697	41,598
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Promissory notes	3,988	1,510
Current maturities of long-term debt	2,464	2,412
Accounts payable	2,018	1,874
Customer deposits	258	837
Gaming facility mandated payment	1,206	1,299
Compensation and compensated absences	1,322	1,294
Other current liabilities	125	100
Total current liabilities	11,381	9,326
LONG-TERM DEBT, NET OF CURRENT MATURITIES:	5,218	6,870
Total liabilities	16,599	16,196
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, par value $0.01: authorized 100,000,000 shares issued and outstanding 64,066,873 shares at April 30, 2016 and 62,860,098 shares at April 30, 2015	640	628
Capital contributed in excess of par	13,716	13,487
Treasury stock at cost, 600,000 shares	(732)	(732)
Retained earnings	8,185	8,161
Total stockholders' equity Butler National Corporation	21,809	21,544
Noncontrolling interest in BHCMC, LLC	4,289	3,858
Total stockholders' equity	26,098	25,402
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	42,697	41,598
Preferred Class A [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock	0	0
Preferred Class B [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock	$ 0	$ 0