OPERATING SEGMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item For Operating Profit (Loss) and Capital Expenditure From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 242,409	$ 225,969	$ 216,314	$ 212,655	$ 208,919	$ 197,267	$ 184,486	$ 174,219	$ 897,347	$ 764,891	$ 617,020
Depreciation and amortization									30,656	18,543	17,597
Operating income									163,294	138,431	109,173
Capital expenditures									15,262	9,446	8,877
Total assets	1,192,846				941,069				1,192,846	941,069	781,643
Flight Support Group [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item For Operating Profit (Loss) and Capital Expenditure From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Net sales									570,325	539,563	412,337
Depreciation and amortization									10,451	10,661	9,899
Operating income									103,943	95,001	67,896
Capital expenditures									7,045	6,866	7,343
Total assets	487,188				458,624				487,188	458,624	410,666
Electronic Technologies Group [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item For Operating Profit (Loss) and Capital Expenditure From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Net sales									331,598	227,771	205,648
Depreciation and amortization									19,365	7,502	7,308
Operating income									77,438	59,465	56,126
Capital expenditures									7,248	2,543	1,502
Total assets	636,660				429,869				636,660	429,869	328,577
Other Primarily Corporate and Inter Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item For Operating Profit (Loss) and Capital Expenditure From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Net sales									(4,576)	(2,443)	(965)
Depreciation and amortization									840	380	390
Operating income									(18,087)	(16,035)	(14,849)
Capital expenditures									969	37	32
Total assets	$ 68,998				$ 52,576				$ 68,998	$ 52,576	$ 42,400