CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011	May 31, 2010
Cash flows provided from operating activities:
Net income attributable to AAR and noncontrolling interest	$ 68,029	$ 69,826	$ 43,202
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to AAR and noncontrolling interest to net cash provided from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	80,333	59,296	38,930
Amortization of stock-based compensation	12,546	12,308	9,335
Amortization of debt discount	13,171	12,309	11,589
Deferred tax provision	32,755	38,861	(3,863)
Tax benefits from exercise of stock options	(765)	(247)	(817)
Restructuring and impairment charges	3,700	5,355
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt	664	(97)	(893)
Loss on sale of investment			1,150
Gain on sale of product line		(5,922)
Earnings from joint ventures	(1,542)	(3,344)	(112)
Changes in certain assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts and notes receivable	36,286	(45,026)	33,926
Inventories	(47,610)	(13,017)	19,015
Rotable spares and equipment on or available for short-term lease	5,553	(21,598)	19,157
Equipment on long-term lease	16,543	3,310	3,944
Accounts and trade notes payable	18,327	48,701	(1,474)
Accrued and other liabilities	(20,877)	8,230	(376)
Other, primarily deposits and program costs	(122,896)	(60,347)	(19,557)
Net cash provided from operating activities	94,217	108,598	153,156
Cash flows provided from (used in) investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment expenditures	(91,218)	(124,879)	(28,855)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	4,110	24	109
Proceeds from sale of product line		10,000
Proceeds from disposal of business			650
Proceeds from sale of available for sale securities			1,160
Companies acquired, net of cash	(298,087)		(193,989)
Proceeds from aircraft joint ventures	1,585	8,306	44
Investment in aircraft joint ventures	(5,801)	(9,893)	(4,239)
Proceeds from leveraged leases			5,220
Other	(814)	(2,293)	(2,440)
Net cash used in investing activities	(390,225)	(118,735)	(222,340)
Cash flows provided from (used in) financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	410,264	54,991	60,004
Reduction in borrowings, net	(83,529)	(61,532)	(25,221)
Reduction in capital lease obligations	(6,784)	(1,796)	(1,815)
Reduction in equity due to convertible bond repurchase	(1,150)	(236)	(374)
Cash dividends	(12,081)	(2,983)
Purchase of treasury stock	(3,659)	(2,539)
Stock option exercises	3,017	2,021	2,297
Tax benefits from exercise of stock options	765	247	817
Contributions from noncontrolling interest			462
Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities	306,843	(11,827)	36,170
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(548)	27	(121)
Increase (decrease) in cash	10,287	(21,937)	(33,135)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	57,433	79,370	112,505
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$ 67,720	$ 57,433	$ 79,370