Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 29, 2012	May 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 59,294	$ 57,433
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $6,840 and $5,719, respectively	331,478	287,435
Inventories	477,467	363,399
Rotable spares and equipment on or available for short-term lease	134,604	143,875
Deposits, prepaids and other	44,186	38,260
Deferred tax assets	18,360	23,583
Total current assets	1,065,389	913,985
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $284,385 and $235,098, respectively	357,139	324,377
Other assets:
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net	448,371	181,097
Equipment on long-term lease	74,168	93,387
Investment in joint ventures	48,768	48,743
Other	226,458	142,138
Total other assets	797,765	465,365
Total assets	2,220,293	1,703,727
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	201,589	100,000
Current maturities of long-term debt	20,072	11,323
Current maturities of non-recourse long-term debt		823
Current maturities of long-term capital lease obligations	85	1,929
Accounts and trade notes payable	194,481	185,096
Accrued liabilities	144,759	116,839
Total current liabilities	560,986	416,010
Long-term debt, less current maturities	599,321	313,981
Non-recourse debt		11,032
Capital lease obligations	106	4,789
Deferred tax liabilities	111,490	98,322
Other liabilities and deferred income	57,071	24,304
Total noncurrent liabilities	767,988	452,428
Equity:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, authorized 250 shares; none issued
Common stock, $1.00 par value, authorized 100,000 shares; issued 44,896 and 44,986 shares, respectively	44,896	44,986
Capital surplus	421,762	423,805
Retained earnings	531,906	486,130
Treasury stock, 4,608 and 5,205 shares at cost, respectively	(91,048)	(100,431)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(17,436)	(18,645)
Total AAR shareholders' equity	890,080	835,845
Noncontrolling interest	1,239	(556)
Total equity	891,319	835,289
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,220,293	$ 1,703,727