Acquisitions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011	Oct. 01, 2011
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions completed	2	3
Number of segments in business acquisition		2
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed		1,837
Aircraft Controls Segment [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions completed		2
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired			31,999
Space And Defense Segment [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions completed	1
Components Segment [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions completed	1	1
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired			24,091
Acquisitions of businesses, number of shares included in purchase price		467,749
Acquisitions of businesses, stock valued in purchase price			18,785
Protokraft [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	12,500
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, at Fair Value	4,809
Military Aftermarket Business [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired			2,373
Bradford Engineering [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	$ 13,173