Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2012	Feb. 28, 2011	Feb. 29, 2012 segment	Feb. 28, 2011
Business Segment Information
Number of business segments			4
Business Segment Information
Sales	$ 534,195	$ 458,035	$ 1,501,652	$ 1,317,286
Gross profit	86,958	78,793	241,222	223,857
Aviation Supply Chain
Business Segment Information
Sales	134,218	119,966	444,708	345,892
Gross profit	26,538	20,798	79,829	60,763
Government and Defense Services
Business Segment Information
Sales	133,709	147,329	426,097	411,065
Gross profit	19,168	25,665	70,510	72,816
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul
Business Segment Information
Sales	112,034	108,037	297,092	283,897
Gross profit	13,224	17,137	36,949	39,534
Structures and Systems
Business Segment Information
Sales	154,234	82,703	333,755	276,432
Gross profit	$ 28,028	$ 15,193	$ 53,934	$ 50,744