Operatons and summary of significant accounting policies (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Basis of Presentation

Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment Useful Lives

Buildings and improvements	2- 40	years
Leasehold improvements	1- 40	years
Machinery and production equipment	2- 15	years
Computer equipment and software	3- 10	years
Other	2- 20	years

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Useful Lives

Customer relationships	9- 30	years
Intellectual property	10- 17	years
Process technology	8- 30	years
Other	1- 15	years

Schedule of Effects of Purchasing Non-controlling Interest on Stockholders' Equity

	Year Ending September 30,
	2011		2010			2009
Net earnings attributable to Woodward	$	132,235	$	110,844		$	94,352
Decrease in Woodward's additional paid-in capital related to purchase of noncontrolling interest		—		(6,180	)		—
Change from net earnings attributable to Woodward and transfers to noncontrolling interest	$	132,235	$	104,664		$	94,352