Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Aug. 24, 2012	Aug. 26, 2011	Aug. 24, 2012	Aug. 26, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 16,502	$ 15,851	$ 32,572	$ 32,125
Cost of goods sold	10,405	9,932	20,027	19,708
Gross profit	6,097	5,919	12,545	12,417
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing	1,277	1,336	2,617	2,627
General and administrative	2,022	1,788	3,905	3,875
Research and development	337	136	647	381
Total Operating expenses	3,636	3,260	7,169	6,883
Operating income	2,461	2,659	5,376	5,534
Other expenses:
Interest expense, net	231	207	445	357
Other (income) expense, net	(61)	(24)	(64)	84
Total Other expenses	170	183	381	441
Income before income taxes	2,291	2,476	4,995	5,093
Provision for income taxes	994	952	2,008	1,944
Net income	1,297	1,524	2,987	3,149
Loss (gain) attributable to non-controlling interest	1	(2)	6	(18)
Net income attributable to Environmental Tectonics Corporation	1,298	1,522	2,993	3,131
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(101)	137	55	(80)
Comprehensive income	1,197	1,659	3,048	3,051
Preferred Stock dividend	(552)	(552)	(1,104)	(1,104)
Income attributable to common and participating shareholders	$ 746	$ 970	$ 1,889	$ 2,027
Distributed earnings per share:
Common (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Undistributed earnings per share:
Common (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.05	$ 0.09	$ 0.10
Preferred (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.05	$ 0.09	$ 0.10
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.05	$ 0.09	$ 0.10
Basic weighted average common shares:
Common weighted average number of shares (in shares)	9,142	9,106	9,139	9,106
Participating preferred shares (in shares)	11,095	11,095	11,095	11,095
Total basic weighted average common and participating shares	20,237	20,201	20,234	20,201
Diluted weighted average common shares:
Basic weighted average common and participating shares	20,237	20,201	20,234	20,201
Dilutive effect of stock warrants and options	154	294	152	305
Total diluted weighted average shares	20,391	20,495	20,386	20,506