CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013		Apr. 30, 2012		Apr. 30, 2011
REVENUES:
Professional Services	$ 37,202		$ 37,226		$ 27,390
Aerospace Products	13,627		17,188		18,945
Total revenues	50,829		54,414		46,335
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of Professional Services	21,090		20,335		19,030
Cost of Aerospace Products	11,451		11,522		11,772
Marketing and advertising	4,223		5,218		3,200
Employee benefits	2,161		2,874		2,288
Depreciation and amortization	3,276		2,199		1,411
General, administrative and other	7,125		6,780		5,806
Total costs and expenses	49,326		48,928		43,507
OPERATING INCOME	1,503		5,486		2,828
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense	(1,521)		(736)		(364)
Other income (expense), net	11		(11)		(35)
Total other income (expense)	(1,510)		(747)		(399)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(7)		4,739		2,429
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
Deferred income tax (benefit)	(136)		59		0
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(680)		764		1,171
NET INCOME	809		3,916		1,258
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in BHCMC, LLC	(957)		(2,016)		1
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO BUTLER NATIONAL CORPORATION	$ (148)		$ 1,900		$ 1,259
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	[1]	$ 0.03	[1]	$ 0.02	[1]
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES USED IN PER SHARE CALCULATION (in shares)	59,014,594		56,596,214		56,108,812
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	[1]	$ 0.03	[1]	$ 0.02	[1]
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES USED IN PER SHARE CALCULATION (in shares)	59,014,594		56,596,214		56,108,812

[1] Rounded to nearest hundredth