Retirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 29, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 473,200,000		$ 486,000,000
Defined benefit plan, plan assets	469,801,000		457,575,000
Company contribution expense	10,100,000		10,100,000	$ 10,700,000
Effect of 25 basis point increase in discount rate on pension liabilities	12,800,000
Effect of 25 basis point decrease in discount rate on pension liabilities	13,500,000
Effect of 25 basis point decrease in pension expense	900,000
Effect of 25 basis point increase in pension expense	800,000
Effect of 25 basis point decrease in pension expense as per return on assets	1,100,000
Effect of 25 basis point increase in pension expense as per return on assets	$ 1,100,000
Increase/decrease health care trend rate basis points	1.00%
Increase in Post Retirement Benefit Obligation based on basis points	$ 1,300,000
Decrease in Post Retirement Benefit Obligation based on basis points	$ 1,100,000
Employer matching contribution percent	6.00%
Defined contribution plan description	The three formulas used are: 25% of the first 6%; or 50% of the first 6%; or 100% of the first 2% and 50% on the next 4%.
Other Non-U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan projected benefit obligation	$ 52,200,000
Accumulated benefit obligation	41,100,000
Defined benefit plan, plan assets	25,000,000
Defined benefit plan, funded (underfunded) status	(27,200,000)
Company contribution expense	3,200,000		1,800,000
Expected funding requirement for fiscal 2019	$ 1,000,000
Minimum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan expected future investment return	3.00%
Maximum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan expected future investment return	7.50%
Esterline U.S. Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan participation, percentage	50.00%
Defined benefit plan pension benefits based on average compensation, years	5 years
Defined benefit plan, service period related to benefit, years	5 years
Defined benefit plans based on compensation during last years of employment	10 years
Defined benefit plan amendment date	Jan. 01, 2003
Defined benefit plan projected benefit obligation	$ 308,600,000
Accumulated benefit obligation	298,400,000
Defined benefit plan, plan assets	304,700,000
Defined benefit plan, funded (underfunded) status	(3,900,000)
Esterline U.S. Plans | Supplemental Retirement Plan For Key Executives
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, underfunded status	21,200,000
Esterline U.S. Plans | Non-qualified Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Company contribution expense	1,400,000	$ 1,400,000
Esterline U.S. Plans | Qualified Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected funding requirement for fiscal 2019	$ 0
Esterline U.S. Plans | Minimum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan annual pay credits	2.00%
Esterline U.S. Plans | Maximum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan annual pay credits	6.00%
CMC Defined Pension Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan projected benefit obligation	$ 134,600,000
Accumulated benefit obligation	133,700,000
Defined benefit plan, plan assets	140,100,000
Defined benefit plan, funded (underfunded) status	5,500,000
Company contribution expense	4,500,000		$ 3,500,000
Expected funding requirement for fiscal 2019	$ 4,500,000