Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss on assets held for sale	$ 14,077,000	$ 49,500,000	$ 0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(16,739,000)		(3,865,000)
Environmental Exit Costs, Assets Previously Disposed, Liability for Remediation	1,800,000	1,500,000
Loss from Discontinued Operations Attributable to Esterline, Net of Tax	(16,739,000)		(3,865,000)
Avionics & Controls
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss on assets held for sale	11,514,000		0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(12,040,000)		(2,009,000)
Advanced Materials
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss on assets held for sale	2,563,000		0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(4,280,000)		(1,592,000)
Previously Sold Business
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Environmental Exit Costs, Assets Previously Disposed, Liability for Remediation	1,200,000
Loss from Discontinued Operations Attributable to Esterline, Net of Tax	$ (800,000)