Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash	$ 17,025	$ 9,014
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	2,459	3,265
Asset held for sale, net of accumulated depreciation		447
Income tax receivable		27
Inventories
Parts and raw materials	7,039	7,370
Work in process	1,483	1,441
Finished goods	70	74
Total inventory, net of allowance	8,592	8,885
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,054	1,646
Total current assets	30,130	23,284
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
Finance lease right-to-use assets	43,680	1,699
Land and building	5,765	5,765
Aircraft	8,723	8,467
Machinery and equipment	4,083	4,075
Office furniture and fixtures	7,594	7,487
Leasehold improvements	4,032	4,032
	73,877	31,525
Accumulated depreciation	(18,971)	(16,714)
Total property, plant and equipment	54,906	14,811
SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATES (net of accumulated amortization of $6,539 at October 31, 2019 and $6,054 at April 30, 2019)	6,228	6,407
OTHER ASSETS:
Deferred tax asset	295	295
Other assets (net of accumulated amortization of $9,767 at October 31, 2019 and $9,370 at April 30, 2019)	3,708	4,105
Total other assets	4,003	4,400
Total assets	95,267	48,902
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,305	1,899
Current maturities of finance lease liability	1,118	8
Accounts payable	1,513	1,774
Customer deposits	2,851	2,758
Gaming facility mandated payment	1,286	1,280
Compensation and compensated absences	1,814	1,664
Deferred tax liability, current	236	236
Income taxes payable	1,300
Other current liabilities	338	230
Total current liabilities	11,761	9,849
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	1,672	2,076
Finance lease liability, net of current maturities	42,083	1,689
Deferred tax liability	944	944
Total long-term liabilities	44,699	4,709
Total liabilities	56,460	14,558
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, par value $.01: authorized 100,000,000 shares issued 71,008,122 shares, and outstanding 67,954,200 shares at October 31, 2019 and issued 71,008,122 shares, and outstanding 68,281,071 shares at April 30, 2019	710	710
Capital contributed in excess of par	14,862	14,767
Treasury stock at cost, 3,053,922 shares at October 31, 2019 and 2,727,051 shares at April 30, 2019	(1,525)	(1,387)
Retained earnings	18,204	13,913
Total Butler National Corporation's stockholders' equity	32,251	28,003
Noncontrolling interest in BHCMC, LLC	6,556	6,341
Total stockholders' equity	38,807	34,344
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	95,267	48,902
Preferred Class A [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock
Preferred Class B [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock