BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments										2
Information about reported segments on the basis used internally to evaluate segment performance [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 71,917	$ 70,636	$ 69,327	$ 66,749	$ 65,026	$ 64,767	$ 63,348	$ 60,899		$ 278,629		$ 254,040		$ 223,356
Gross profit	16,239	18,584	16,967	16,518	14,515	15,332	15,245	14,558		68,308		59,650		51,500
Income from operations										26,055		24,924		19,065
Depreciation, amortization and other charges										7,994		8,404		7,289
Interest expense										(1,771)		(669)		(696)
Capital expenditures										19,529		10,267		7,151
Total assets	527,964				204,606					527,964		204,606
Deferred financing costs										580
Impairment loss on intangible assets								1,163	[1]			1,163
Aerostructures [Member]
Information about reported segments on the basis used internally to evaluate segment performance [Abstract]
Net sales										174,983		168,145		149,259
Gross profit										47,947		44,966		38,637
Income from operations										15,484		18,334		13,631
Depreciation, amortization and other charges										5,532	[2]	6,013	[2]	4,843	[2]
Interest expense										(23)		(5)		(18)
Capital expenditures										18,649	[3]	8,716	[3]	6,230	[3]
Total assets	446,702				132,032					446,702		132,032
Engineering Services [Member]
Information about reported segments on the basis used internally to evaluate segment performance [Abstract]
Net sales										105,607		87,527		74,574
Gross profit										20,270		14,615		12,788
Income from operations										10,480		6,522		5,359
Depreciation, amortization and other charges										2,462		2,391		2,446
Interest expense										(25)		(12)		(14)
Capital expenditures										880		1,551		921
Total assets	81,062				72,574					81,062		72,574
Eliminations [Member]
Information about reported segments on the basis used internally to evaluate segment performance [Abstract]
Net sales										(1,961)		(1,632)		(477)
Gross profit										91		69		75
Income from operations										91		68		75
Corporate [Member]
Information about reported segments on the basis used internally to evaluate segment performance [Abstract]
Interest expense										$ (1,723)	[4]	$ (652)	[4]	$ (664)	[4]

[1] During the first quarter of 2011, a triggering event occurred with regard to a certain proprietary technology intangible asset as a result of a failure to conclude a possible sale of a product line. The Company did not have plans to utilize this technology in the near term and believed the current market for the product line to be limited; thus, utilizing the income approach with a level 3 valuation, the Company expected zero cash flows. As such, a full impairment loss of $1,163 was recognized as of March 31, 2011. The impairment loss was recognized in the Aerostructures segment in the selling, general and administrative expenses line of the Consolidated Statements of Income.

[2] Includes a $1,163 charge for impairment of intangible in 2011.

[3] Includes $746 for a capital lease for equipment in 2012.

[4] Includes a $580 charge for deferred financing costs for the closed credit facility in 2012.