Goodwill fair value- implied fair value of the Goodwill based on impairment analysis.

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- Definition

Number of reporting units in Aerostar Segment- Identifies that the Aerostar segment has 2 reporting units when analyzed for goodwill fair value impairment analysis. Vista is a separate reporting unit and Aerostar, excluding Vista makes up the other reporting unit.

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- Definition

Pre-contract deferred costs written off: Pre-contract deferred inventory costs written off related to service contract accounted for using the percentage of completion method.

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- Definition

Goodwill reporting unit carrying value in excess of fair value: Carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value indicating that the goodwill is impaired.

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- Definition

This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment.

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- Definition

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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- Definition

Amount of loss from the write-down of an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The aggregate amount of write-downs for impairments recognized during the period for long lived assets held for use (including those held for disposal by means other than sale).

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- Definition

Amount of loss from reductions in inventory due to subsequent measurement adjustments, including, but not limited to, physical deterioration, obsolescence, or changes in price levels.

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- Definition

Number of reporting units tested for impairment of goodwill. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment.

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Amount of fair value of reporting unit in excess of carrying amount.

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Percentage of fair value of reporting unit in excess of carrying amount.

+ References

No definition available.

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Goodwil, Long-lived Assets, and Other Charges - Goodwill Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2016 ReportingUnits	Oct. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2018 USD ($) Divisions	Jan. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2018 USD ($) ReportingUnits	Jan. 31, 2017 USD ($) ReportingUnits	Jan. 31, 2016 USD ($) ReportingUnits	Oct. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Number of reporting units in Aerostar Segment \| ReportingUnits		1				1	1	2
Number of divisions operated in by Parent		3		3		3	3	4
Goodwill impairment loss					$ 0		$ 0	$ 11,497,000
Goodwill				$ 46,710,000	46,710,000	$ 46,710,000	40,649,000	40,672,000
Long-lived asset impairment loss					259,000		87,000	3,826,000
Operating Income (Loss)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment loss					0		0	11,497,000
Cost of Sales
Goodwill [Line Items]
Inventory write-down					0		2,278,000	0
Pre-contract deferred costs written off					0		0	2,933,000
Aerostar
Goodwill [Line Items]
Amount of estimated fair value that exceeded the net book value				$ 11,600,000	$ 11,600,000	$ 11,600,000			$ 9,000,000
Percentage of fair value in excess of carrying amount				41.00%	41.00%	41.00%			30.00%
Goodwill				$ 737,000	$ 737,000	$ 737,000	789,000	789,000	$ 789,000
Engineered Films
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill				33,232,000	33,232,000	33,232,000	27,518,000	27,518,000
Vista Reporting Unit
Goodwill [Line Items]
Percentage of fair value in excess of carrying amount			(64.00%)
Goodwill			$ 11,497,000
Reporting unit, carrying amount in excess of fair value			14,000,000
Implied fair value amount less than carrying value recorded for the reporting unit			0
Long-lived asset impairment loss			3,813,000				3,826,000	3,826,000
Vista Reporting Unit \| Operating Income (Loss)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment loss			11,497,000					11,497,000
Vista Research \| Cost of Sales
Goodwill [Line Items]
Pre-contract deferred costs written off			$ 2,933,000
Applied Technology
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill				$ 12,741,000	12,741,000	$ 12,741,000	$ 12,342,000	$ 12,365,000
AgEagle Aerial Systems \| Applied Technology \| Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Equity method investment, other than temporary impairment	$ 72,000				$ 72,000