Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
REVENUES:
Revenues	$ 58,710	$ 48,260
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Marketing and advertising	4,167	3,799
Employee benefits	2,304	1,973
Depreciation and amortization	1,846	1,760
General, administrative and other	7,819	6,553
Total costs and expenses	53,432	46,137
OPERATING INCOME	5,278	2,123
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense	(248)	(331)
Other income (expense), net		4
Refund of sales/use tax	1,995
Total other income (expense)	1,747	(327)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	7,025	1,796
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	297	(192)
Deferred income tax	1,078	732
NET INCOME	5,650	1,256
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in BHCMC, LLC	(1,797)	(915)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO BUTLER NATIONAL CORPORATION	$ 3,853	$ 341
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO BUTLER NATIONAL CORPORATION (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ 0.01
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES USED IN PER SHARE CALCULATION (in shares)	64,511,608	64,387,694
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO BUTLER NATIONAL CORPORATION (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ 0.01
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES USED IN PER SHARE CALCULATION (in shares)	64,511,608	64,387,694
Professional Services [Member]
REVENUES:
Revenues	$ 32,017	$ 31,283
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of services and products	20,066	19,574
Aerospace Products [Member]
REVENUES:
Revenues	26,693	16,977
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of services and products	$ 17,230	$ 12,478