DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION (USD $)	12 Months Ended
DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Dec. 16, 2011 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 16, 2011 Class A Common Stock [Member]
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	HEICO CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000046619
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Trading Symbol	hei
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			17,054,339	25,034,862
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Entity Well-Known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float		$ 1,563,691,000

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 17,500,000	$ 6,543,000
Accounts receivable, net	106,414,000	91,815,000
Inventories, net	164,967,000	138,215,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,471,000	3,769,000
Deferred income taxes	22,286,000	18,907,000
Total current assets	316,638,000	259,249,000
Property, plant and equipment, net	67,074,000	59,003,000
Goodwill	443,402,000	385,016,000
Intangible assets, net	78,157,000	49,487,000
Deferred income taxes	2,374,000	0
Other assets	33,424,000	28,888,000
Total assets	941,069,000	781,643,000
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current maturities of long-term debt	335,000	148,000
Trade accounts payable	43,547,000	28,604,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	76,376,000	52,101,000
Income taxes payable	3,132,000	979,000
Total current liabilities	123,390,000	81,832,000
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	39,823,000	14,073,000
Deferred income taxes	58,899,000	45,308,000
Other long-term liabilities	33,373,000	30,556,000
Total liabilities	255,485,000	171,769,000
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 2 and 16)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (Note 12)	65,430,000	55,048,000
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 300,000 shares designated as Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock and 300,000 shares designated as Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock; none issued	0	0
Common Stock	171,000	131,000
Capital in excess of par value	226,120,000	227,993,000
Deferred compensation obligation	522,000	0
HEICO stock held by irrevocable trust	(522,000)	0
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	3,033,000	(124,000)
Retained earnings	299,497,000	240,913,000
Total HEICO shareholders' equity	529,071,000	469,112,000
Noncontrolling interests	91,083,000	85,714,000
Total shareholders' equity	620,154,000	554,826,000
Total liabilities and equity	941,069,000	781,643,000
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity:
Common Stock	250,000	199,000
Total shareholders' equity	$ 250,000	$ 199,000

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [PARENTHETICAL] (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollar per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	17,054,339	16,407,506
Common stock, shares outstanding	17,054,339	16,407,506
Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, shares designated	300,000	300,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, shares designated	300,000	300,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Common stock, par value (in dollar per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	25,022,688	24,829,465
Common stock, shares outstanding	25,022,688	24,829,465

Total number of shares of common stock held by shareholders. May be all or portion of the number of common shares authorized. These shares represent the ownership interest of the common shareholders. Shares outstanding equals shares issued minus shares held in treasury and other adjustments, if any.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Net sales	$ 764,891,000	$ 617,020,000	$ 538,296,000
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	490,450,000	394,673,000	357,285,000
Selling, general and administrative expenses	136,010,000	113,174,000	92,756,000
Total operating costs and expenses	626,460,000	507,847,000	450,041,000
Operating income	138,431,000	109,173,000	88,255,000
Interest expense	(142,000)	(508,000)	(615,000)
Other income	64,000	390,000	205,000
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	138,353,000	109,055,000	87,845,000
Income tax expense	42,900,000	36,700,000	28,000,000
Net income from consolidated operations	95,453,000	72,355,000	59,845,000
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	22,633,000	17,417,000	15,219,000
Net income attributable to HEICO	$ 72,820,000	$ 54,938,000	$ 44,626,000
Net income per share attributable to HEICO shareholders (Note 13):
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.75	$ 1.34	$ 1.09
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.71	$ 1.30	$ 1.06
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	41,632,074	41,040,635	40,944,999
Diluted (in shares)	42,501,252	42,213,538	42,225,049

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Capital In Excess Of Par Value [Member]	Deferred Compensation Obligation [Member]	Common Stock Issued To Trust [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Total
Balances at Oct. 31, 2008	$ 158,000	$ 48,736,000	$ 106,000	$ 229,443,000	$ 0	$ 0	$ (4,819,000)	$ 156,976,000	$ 71,138,000	$ 453,002,000
Comprehensive income:
Net income	0	8,228,000	0	0	0	0	0	44,626,000	6,991,000	51,617,000
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0	0	0	3,276,000	0	0	3,276,000
Total comprehensive income	0	8,228,000	0	0	0	0	3,276,000	44,626,000	6,991,000	54,893,000
Repurchases of common stock (Note 8)	(2,000)	0	(2,000)	(8,094,000)	0	0	0	0	0	(8,098,000)
Cash dividends	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	(3,150,000)	0	(3,150,000)
Tax benefit from stock option exercises	0	0	0	1,890,000	0	0	0	0	0	1,890,000
Proceeds from stock option exercises	1,000	0	0	1,206,000	0	0	0	0	0	1,207,000
Stock option compensation expense	0	0	0	181,000	0	0	0	0	0	181,000
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	(9,130,000)	0	0	0	0	0	0	(461,000)	(461,000)
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	0	(10,015,000)	0	0	0	0	0	6,845,000	0	6,845,000
Noncontrolling interests assumed related to acquisition	0	7,505,000	0	0	0	0	0	(4,200,000)	0	(4,200,000)
Adjustments to redemption amount of redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	11,613,000	0	0	0	0	0	(11,613,000)	0	(11,613,000)
Other	0	0	0	(1,000)	0	0	162,000	1,000	0	162,000
Balances at Oct. 31, 2009	157,000	56,937,000	104,000	224,625,000	0	0	(1,381,000)	189,485,000	77,668,000	490,658,000
Comprehensive income:
Net income	0	9,370,000	0	0	0	0	0	54,938,000	8,047,000	62,985,000
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0	0	0	1,271,000	0	0	1,271,000
Total comprehensive income	0	9,370,000	0	0	0	0	1,271,000	54,938,000	8,047,000	64,256,000
Repurchases of common stock (Note 8)	(100,000)									(600,000)
Cash dividends	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	(3,546,000)	0	(3,546,000)
Five-for-four common stock split	40,000	0	26,000	(66,000)	0	0	0	(68,000)	0	(68,000)
Tax benefit from stock option exercises	0	0	0	951,000	0	0	0	0	0	951,000
Proceeds from stock option exercises	2,000	0	1,000	1,812,000	0	0	0	0	0	1,815,000
Stock option compensation expense	0	0	0	1,353,000	0	0	0	0	0	1,353,000
Redemptions of common stock related to stock option exercises	0	0	0	(681,000)	0	0	0	0	0	(681,000)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	(10,360,000)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	0	(795,000)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Adjustments to redemption amount of redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	(104,000)	0	0	0	0	0	104,000	0	104,000
Other	0	0	0	(1,000)	0	0	(14,000)	0	(1,000)	(16,000)
Balances at Oct. 31, 2010	199,000	55,048,000	131,000	227,993,000	0	0	(124,000)	240,913,000	85,714,000	554,826,000
Comprehensive income:
Net income	0	11,264,000	0	0	0	0	0	72,820,000	11,369,000	84,189,000
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0	0	0	3,012,000	0	0	3,012,000
Total comprehensive income	0	11,264,000	0	0	0	0	3,012,000	72,820,000	11,369,000	87,201,000
Repurchases of common stock (Note 8)	(700,000)									(13,600,000)
Cash dividends	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	(4,494,000)	0	(4,494,000)
Five-for-four common stock split	50,000	0	33,000	(83,000)	0	0	0	(102,000)	0	(102,000)
Tax benefit from stock option exercises	0	0	0	7,703,000	0	0	0	0	0	7,703,000
Proceeds from stock option exercises	2,000	0	9,000	2,156,000	0	0	0	0	0	2,167,000
Stock option compensation expense	0	0	0	2,647,000	0	0	0	0	0	2,647,000
Redemptions of common stock related to stock option exercises	0	0	(3,000)	(14,295,000)	0	0	0	0	0	(14,298,000)
Deferred Compensation Obligation	0	0	0	0	522,000	(522,000)	0	0	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	(8,893,000)	0	0	0	0	0	0	(6,000,000)	(6,000,000)
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	0	(7,241,000)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Noncontrolling interests assumed related to acquisition	0	5,612,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Adjustments to redemption amount of redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	9,640,000	0	0	0	0	0	(9,640,000)	0	(9,640,000)
Other	(1,000)	0	1,000	(1,000)	0	0	145,000	0	0	144,000
Balances at Oct. 31, 2011	$ 250,000	$ 65,430,000	$ 171,000	$ 226,120,000	$ 522,000	$ (522,000)	$ 3,033,000	$ 299,497,000	$ 91,083,000	$ 620,154,000

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Operating Activities:
Net income from consolidated operations	$ 95,453,000	$ 72,355,000	$ 59,845,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income from consolidated operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	18,543,000	17,597,000	14,967,000
Impairment of intangible assets	4,987,000	1,438,000	300,000
Reduction in value of contingent consideration	(1,150,000)	0	0
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	29,000	1,817,000	(2,651,000)
Tax benefit from stock option exercises	7,703,000	951,000	1,890,000
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises	(6,346,000)	(669,000)	(1,573,000)
Stock option compensation expense	2,647,000	1,353,000	181,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable	(5,327,000)	(10,684,000)	15,214,000
(Increase) decrease in inventories	(9,405,000)	6,359,000	(87,000)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets	(343,000)	549,000	5,216,000
Increase (decrease) in trade accounts payable	7,257,000	125,000	(5,619,000)
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other current liabilities	10,425,000	11,474,000	(11,296,000)
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable	1,516,000	(1,196,000)	(936,000)
Other	(471,000)	248,000	366,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	125,518,000	101,717,000	75,817,000
Investing Activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(94,655,000)	(39,061,000)	(59,798,000)
Capital expenditures	(9,446,000)	(8,877,000)	(10,253,000)
Other	201,000	(325,000)	20,000
Net cash used in investing activities	(103,900,000)	(48,263,000)	(70,031,000)
Financing Activities:
Payments on revolving credit facility	(50,000,000)	(78,000,000)	(73,000,000)
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	72,000,000	37,000,000	91,000,000
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(14,893,000)	(10,360,000)	(9,591,000)
Redemptions of common stock related to stock option exercises	(14,298,000)	(681,000)	0
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(7,241,000)	(795,000)	(11,268,000)
Repurchases of common stock	0	0	(8,098,000)
Cash dividends paid	(4,494,000)	(3,546,000)	(3,150,000)
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises	6,346,000	669,000	1,573,000
Proceeds from stock option exercises	2,167,000	1,815,000	1,207,000
Other	(256,000)	(294,000)	(219,000)
Net cash used in financing activities	(10,669,000)	(54,192,000)	(11,546,000)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	8,000	114,000	365,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	10,957,000	(624,000)	(5,395,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	6,543,000	7,167,000	12,562,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 17,500,000	$ 6,543,000	$ 7,167,000

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	12 Months Ended
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	Oct. 31, 2011
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	8. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Preferred Stock Purchase Rights Plan The Company’s Board of Directors adopted, as of November 2, 2003, a Shareholder Rights Agreement (the “2003 Plan”). Pursuant to the 2003 Plan, the Board declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding share of Common Stock and Class A Common Stock (with the preferred share purchase rights collectively as the “Rights”). The Rights trade with the common stock and are not exercisable or transferable apart from the Common Stock and Class A Common Stock until after a person or group either acquires 15% or more of the outstanding common stock or commences or announces an intention to commence a tender offer for 15% or more of the outstanding common stock. Absent either of the aforementioned events transpiring, the Rights will expire as of the close of business on November 2, 2013. The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects and, therefore, will cause substantial dilution to a person or group who attempts to acquire the Company on terms not approved by the Company’s Board of Directors or who acquires 15% or more of the outstanding common stock without approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Rights should not interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by the Board since they may be redeemed by the Company at $.01 per Right at any time until the close of business on the tenth day after a person or group has obtained beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding common stock or until a person commences or announces an intention to commence a tender offer for 15% or more of the outstanding common stock. The 2003 Plan also contains a provision to help ensure a potential acquirer pays all shareholders a fair price for the Company. Common Stock and Class A Common Stock Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share. Each share of Class A Common Stock is entitled to a 1/10 vote per share. Holders of the Company’s Common Stock and Class A Common Stock are entitled to receive when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, dividends and other distributions payable in cash, property, stock or otherwise. In the event of liquidation, after payment of debts and other liabilities of the Company, and after making provision for the holders of preferred stock, if any, the remaining assets of the Company will be distributable ratably among the holders of all classes of common stock. Stock Splits In March of 2011 and 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a 5-for-4 stock split on both classes of the Company’s common stock. The stock splits were effected as of April 26, 2011 and April 27, 2010, respectively, in the form of a 25% stock dividend distributed to shareholders of record as of April 15, 2011 and April 16, 2010, respectively. All applicable share and per share information has been adjusted retrospectively to give effect to the 5-for-4 stock splits. Share Repurchases In accordance with the Company’s share repurchase program, 302,713 shares of Class A Common Stock were repurchased at a total cost of $3.9 million and 288,281 shares of Common Stock were repurchased at a total cost of $4.2 million during the second quarter of 2009. In March 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase in the Company’s share repurchase program by an aggregate 1,562,500 shares of either or both Class A Common Stock and Common Stock, bringing the total authorized for future purchase to 1,601,160 shares. During fiscal 2011, the Company repurchased an aggregate 268,842 shares of Common Stock at a total cost of approximately $13.6 million and an aggregate 22,299 shares of Class A Common Stock at a total cost of approximately $.7 million. During fiscal 2010, the Company repurchased an aggregate 21,971 shares of Common Stock at a total cost of $.6 million and an aggregate 3,266 shares of Class A Common Stock at a total cost of $.1 million. The transactions in fiscal 2011 and 2010 occurred as settlement for employee taxes due pertaining to exercises of non-qualified stock options and did not impact the number of shares authorized for future purchase under the Company’s share repurchase program.

RETIREMENT PLANS	12 Months Ended
RETIREMENT PLANS	Oct. 31, 2011
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	10. RETIREMENT PLANS The Company has a qualified defined contribution retirement plan (the “Plan”) under which eligible employees of the Company and its participating subsidiaries may make Elective Deferral Contributions up to the limitations set forth in Section 402(g) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company generally makes a 25% or 50% Employer Matching Contribution, as determined by the Board of Directors, based on a participant’s Elective Deferral Contribution up to 6% of the participant’s Compensation for the Elective Deferral Contribution period. The Employer Matching Contribution may be contributed to the Plan in the form of the Company’s common stock or cash, as determined by the Company. The Company’s match of a portion of a participant’s contribution is invested in Company common stock and is based on the fair value of the shares as of the date of contribution. The Plan also provides that the Company may contribute to the Plan additional amounts in its common stock or cash at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Employee contributions cannot be invested in Company common stock. Participants receive 100% vesting of employee contributions and cash dividends received on Company common stock. Vesting in Company contributions is based on a participant’s number of years of vesting service. Contributions to the Plan charged to income in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009 totaled $24,000, $20,000 and $40,000, respectively. Company contributions are made with the use of forfeited shares within the Plan. As of October 31, 2011, the Plan held approximately 33,000 forfeited shares of Common Stock and 54,000 forfeited shares of Class A Common Stock, which are available to make future Company contributions. In 1991, the Company established a Directors Retirement Plan covering its then current directors. The net assets and expenses of this plan as of October 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 were not material to the financial position or results of operations of the Company. The projected benefit obligation of this plan was $353,000 and $409,000 as of October 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and is classified within other long-term liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES	12 Months Ended
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES	Oct. 31, 2011
Research and Development [Abstract]
Research, Development, and Computer Software Disclosure [Text Block]	11. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES Cost of sales amounts in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009 include approximately $25.4 million, $22.7 million and $19.7 million, respectively, of new product research and development expenses.

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	12 Months Ended
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	Oct. 31, 2011
Temporary Equity Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Abstract]
Temporary Equity Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Text Block]	12. REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS The holders of equity interests in certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have rights (“Put Rights”) that may be exercised on varying dates causing the Company to purchase their equity interests in fiscal 2012 through fiscal 2018. The Put Rights, all of which relate either to common shares or membership interests in limited liability companies, provide that the cash consideration to be paid for their equity interests (the “Redemption Amount”) be at fair value or at a formula that management intended to reasonably approximate fair value based solely on a multiple of future earnings over a measurement period. As of October 31, 2011, management’s estimate of the aggregate Redemption Amount of all Put Rights that the Company would be required to pay is approximately $65 million. The actual Redemption Amount will likely be different. The aggregate Redemption Amount of all Put Rights was determined using probability adjusted internal estimates of future earnings of the Company’s subsidiaries with Put Rights while considering the actual or earliest exercise date, the measurement period and any applicable fair value adjustments. The portion of the estimated Redemption Amount as of October 31, 2011 redeemable at fair value is approximately $34 million and the portion redeemable based solely on a multiple of future earnings is approximately $31 million. The portion of adjustments to the redemption amount of redeemable noncontrolling interests determined to be in excess of fair value was $102,000 in fiscal 2010, which affects the calculation of basic and diluted net income per share attributable to HEICO shareholders. During fiscal 2011, $70,000 of the fiscal 2010 excess was paid as part of the acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interests and the remainder was adjusted down by $19,000 such that the portion of adjustments to the redemption amount of redeemable noncontrolling interests determined to be in excess of fair value was $13,000 as of October 31, 2011. No portion of the fiscal 2009 adjustments to the redemption amount of redeemable noncontrolling interests was determined to be in excess of fair value. See Note 13, Net Income per Share Attributable to HEICO Shareholders. A summary of the put and call rights associated with the redeemable noncontrolling interests in certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and transactions involving redeemable noncontrolling interests during fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009 is as follows: As part of the agreement to acquire an 80.1% interest in a subsidiary by the ETG in fiscal 2004, the noncontrolling interest holders currently have the right to cause the Company to purchase their interests over a four-year period ending in fiscal 2015 and the Company has the right to purchase the noncontrolling interests over a five-year period beginning in fiscal 2015, or sooner under certain conditions. Pursuant to the purchase agreement related to the acquisition of an 85% interest in a subsidiary by the ETG in fiscal 2005, certain noncontrolling interest holders exercised their option during fiscal 2007 to cause the Company to purchase their aggregate 3% interest over a four-year period that ended in fiscal 2010. Pursuant to this same purchase agreement, certain other noncontrolling interest holders exercised their option during fiscal 2009 to cause the Company to purchase their aggregate 10.5% interest over a four-year period ending in fiscal 2012. Accordingly, the Company increased its ownership interest in the subsidiary by an aggregate 10.9% to 95.9% effective April 2011. Further, the remaining noncontrolling interest holders currently have the right to cause the Company to purchase their 1.5% interest over a four-year period ending in fiscal 2015. Pursuant to the purchase agreement related to the acquisition of a 51% interest in a subsidiary by the FSG in fiscal 2006, the noncontrolling interest holders exercised their option during fiscal 2008 to cause the Company to purchase an aggregate 28% interest over a four-year period ending in fiscal 2011. Accordingly, the Company increased its ownership interest in the subsidiary by 7% effective April 2008, by 14% effective December 2008, and by 7% effective February 2011. Pursuant to this same purchase agreement, certain other noncontrolling interest holders exercised their option during fiscal 2011 to cause the Company to purchase their aggregate 1% interest in the subsidiary effective February 2011. Accordingly, the Company increased its ownership interest in the subsidiary by an aggregate 29% to 80% effective February 2011. Further, the Company has the right to purchase the remaining 20% of the equity interests of the subsidiary over a three-year period beginning in fiscal 2012, or sooner under certain conditions, and the noncontrolling interest holders have the right to cause the Company to purchase the same equity interests over the same period. As part of the agreement to acquire an 80.1% interest in a subsidiary by the FSG in fiscal 2006, the Company has the right to purchase the noncontrolling interests over a four-year period beginning in fiscal 2014, or sooner under certain conditions, and the noncontrolling interest holders have the right to cause the Company to purchase the same equity interests over the same period. As part of the agreement to acquire an 80.1% interest in a subsidiary by the FSG in fiscal 2008, the Company has the right to purchase the noncontrolling interests over a five-year period beginning in fiscal 2014, or sooner under certain conditions, and the noncontrolling interest holders have the right to cause the Company to purchase the same equity interests over the same period. In May 2010, the Company, through the FSG, acquired an additional 2.2% equity interest in the subsidiary, which increased the Company’s ownership interest to 82.3%. The additional equity interest acquired was pursuant to an amendment to the original agreement which does not affect the put/call provisions pertaining to the remaining noncontrolling interests. During the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company, through HEICO Aerospace, acquired the remaining 10% equity interest in one of its subsidiaries, which increased the Company’s ownership interest to 100% effective October 31, 2008. As part of an agreement to acquire an 82.5% interest in a subsidiary by the ETG in fiscal 2009, the Company has the right to purchase the noncontrolling interests beginning in fiscal 2014, or sooner under certain conditions, and the noncontrolling interest holder has the right to cause the Company to purchase the same equity interests over the same period. As discussed in Note 2, Acquisitions, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire an 80.1% interest in a subsidiary by the FSG in December 2010. As part of the agreement, the Company has the right to purchase the noncontrolling interests over a two-year period beginning in fiscal 2015, or sooner under certain conditions, and the noncontrolling interest holders have the right to cause the Company to purchase the same equity interests over the same period. The purchase prices of the redeemable noncontrolling interests acquired in fiscal 2011 and 2010 were paid using cash provided by operating activities. The purchase prices of the redeemable noncontrolling interests acquired in fiscal 2009 were principally paid in cash using proceeds from the Company’s revolving credit facility. The aggregate cost of the redeemable noncontrolling interests acquired was $7.2 million, $.8 million and $11.3 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION	Oct. 31, 2011
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block]	17. SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION Cash paid for interest was $125,000, $532,000 and $617,000 in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Cash paid for income taxes was $33,928,000, $37,300,000 and $30,209,000 in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Cash received from income tax refunds in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $845,000, $3,031,000 and $5,398,000 respectively.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	12 Months Ended
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	Oct. 31, 2011
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS On November 22, 2011, the Company, through HEICO Electronic, acquired Switchcraft, Inc. (“Switchcraft”) through the purchase of all of the stock of Switchcraft’s parent company, Switchcraft Holdco, Inc. for approximately $143 million. The purchase price of this acquisition was paid in cash, principally using proceeds from the Company’s revolving credit facility. Switchcraft is a leading designer and manufacturer of high performance, high reliability and harsh environment electronic connectors and other interconnect products. The Company is still in the process of allocating the purchase price of Switchcraft to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed given the limited time since the acquisition date and expects to provide such information in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ending January 31, 2012. On December 14, 2011, the Company entered into a $670 million Revolving Credit Agreement (“New Credit Facility”) with a bank syndicate, which matures in December 2016. Under certain circumstances, the maturity of the New Credit Facility may be extended for two one-year periods. The New Credit Facility also includes a feature that will allow the Company to increase the New Credit Facility by $130 million, at its option, to become an $800 million facility through increased commitments from existing lenders or the addition of new lenders. The New Credit Facility may be used for working capital and general corporate needs of the Company, including capital expenditures and to finance acquisitions. The New Credit Facility replaced the $300 million Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement (as discussed in Note 5, Long-Term Debt). Advances under the New Credit Facility accrue interest at the Company’s choice of the “Base Rate” or the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus applicable margins (based on the Company’s ratio of total funded debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, noncontrolling interests and non-cash charges, or “leverage ratio”). The Base Rate is the highest of (i) the Prime Rate; (ii) the Federal Funds rate plus .50% per annum; and (iii) the Adjusted LIBO Rate determined on a daily basis for an Interest Period of one month plus 1.00% per annum, as such capitalized terms are defined in the New Credit Facility. The applicable margins for LIBOR-based borrowings range from .75% to 2.25%. The applicable margins for Base Rate borrowings range from 0% to 1.25%. A fee is charged on the amount of the unused commitment ranging from .125% to .35% (depending on the Company’s leverage ratio). The New Credit Facility also includes a $50 million sublimit for borrowings made in foreign currencies, letters of credit and swingline borrowings. Outstanding principal, accrued and unpaid interest and other amounts payable under the New Credit Facility may be accelerated upon an event of default, as such events are described in the New Credit Facility. The New Credit Facility is unsecured and contains covenants that require, among other things, the maintenance of a total leverage ratio, a senior leverage ratio and a fixed charge coverage ratio. In the event the Company’s leverage ratio exceeds a specified level, the New Credit Facility would become secured by the capital stock owned in substantially all of the Company’s subsidiaries.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details Textuals)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 26, 2011	Apr. 27, 2010	Oct. 31, 2011 Customer Relationships [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Intellectual Property [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Licensing Agreements [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Noncompete Agreements [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Patents [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Trade Names [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Building and Building Improvements [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Leasehold Improvements [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Other Machinery and Equipment [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Tools, Dies and Molds [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Amr Corporation [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Lufthansa Technik Ag [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Aerospace Holdings Corp. [Member] Subsidiary Two [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Aerospace Holdings Corp. [Member] Subsidiary Three [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Aerospace Holdings Corp. [Member] Subsidiary Four [Member]	Oct. 31, 2005 Electronic Technologies Group [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Electronic Technologies Group [Member] Subsidiary One [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Electronic Technologies Group [Member] Subsidiary Two [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Electronic Technologies Group [Member] Subsidiary Three [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Vpt [Member]	Oct. 31, 2009 Vpt [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Blue Aerospace [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 Blue Aerospace [Member]
Acquisition of interest in the subsidiary		80.10%	80.10%	82.50%	95.90%															80.10%	80.10%	82.30%	85.00%	80.10%	82.50%	95.90%		82.50%		80.10%
Percentage of interest owned by noncontrolling shareholders																		16.00%	20.00%								17.50%		19.90%
Stockholders' Equity Note, Stock Split	In March of 2011 and 2010, the Company's Board of Directors declared a 5-for-4 stock split on both classes of the Company's common stock. The stock splits were effected as of April 26, 2011 and April 27, 2010, respectively, in the form of a 25% stock dividend distributed to shareholders of record as of April 15, 2011 and April 16, 2010, respectively. All applicable share and per share information has been adjusted retrospectively to give effect to the 5-for-4 stock splits.
Stock dividend rate percentage						25.00%	25.00%
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum														15	2	3	2
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum														40	20	10	5
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum								5	6	10	2	5	5
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Maximum								10	15	17	7	19	10
Net Sales Recognized Percentage Of Completion Method		1.00%	2.00%	1.00%

ACQUISITIONS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
ACQUISITIONS (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Fair value of assets acquired:
Liabilities assumed	$ 32,263,000	$ 3,952,000	$ 3,881,000
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	5,612,000	0	3,305,000
Goodwill	51,448,000	15,372,000	30,389,000
Identifiable intangible assets	40,187,000	15,400,000	21,562,000
Inventories	16,964,000	3,184,000	4,249,000
Accounts receivable	9,072,000	6,685,000	4,720,000
Property, plant and equipment	9,115,000	573,000	553,000
Accrued additional purchase consideration	4,104,000	1,775,000	2,212,000
Other assets	1,640,000	24,000	3,299,000
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	$ (94,655,000)	$ (39,061,000)	$ (59,798,000)

ACQUISITIONS (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended					1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
ACQUISITIONS (Details Textuals) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Apr. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2009	May 31, 2009 Vpt [Member]	Jul. 31, 2011 Vpt [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Vpt [Member]	Oct. 31, 2012 Vpt [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Vpt [Member]	Oct. 31, 2009 Vpt [Member]	Oct. 31, 2009 Dukan Seacom [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Dukan Seacom [Member]	Feb. 28, 2010 Db Control [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Blue Aerospace [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Blue Aerospace [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 Blue Aerospace [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Three D Plus [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Three D Plus [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Acquisition of interest in the subsidiary	80.10%	80.10%	95.90%	82.50%						82.50%						80.10%
Name of the entity in which interest is owned					VPT, Inc						Dukane Seacom, Inc.		dB Control	Blue Aerospace LLC.			3D Plus
Date on which the acquirer obtains control of the acquiree					31-May-09						31-Oct-09		28-Feb-10	31-Dec-10			30-Sep-11
Description of the acquired entity					VPT Inc is a U.S. company that designs and provides power conversion products principally serving the defense, space and aviation industries.						Seacom is a designer and manufacturer of underwater locator beacons used to locate aircraft cockpit voice recorders, flight data recorders, marine ship voyage recorders and various other devices which have been submerged under water.		"dB Control produces high-power devices used in both defense and commercial applications. "	Blue Aerospace is a supplier, distributor, and integrator of military aircraft parts and support services primarily to foreign military organizations allied with the United States.			3D is a leading designer and manufacturer of three-dimensional microelectronic and stacked memory products used predominately in satellites and also utilized in medical equipment.
Adjustments to Goodwill	$ (2,480,000)	$ (1,960,000)				$ 1,300,000	$ 1,300,000					$ 5,300,000
Accrued additional purchase consideration	11,016,000	4,104,000										4,800,000						6,200,000
Percentage of interest owned by noncontrolling shareholders									17.50%						19.90%
Estimate To Acquire Additional Purchase Consideration								$ 10,100,000

SELECTED FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Accounts receivable	$ 109,081,000	$ 94,283,000
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	(2,667,000)	(2,468,000)
Accounts receivable, net	$ 106,414,000	$ 91,815,000

SELECTED FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Details 1) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts	$ 4,443,000	$ 6,323,000
Estimated earnings	4,206,000	7,603,000
Total cost incurred and estimated earnings on uncompleted percentage-of completed contracts	8,649,000	13,926,000
Less: Billings to date	(4,876,000)	(8,967,000)
Cost and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts, net	3,773,000	4,959,000
Included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets under the following captions:
Accounts receivable, net (costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings)	3,773,000	5,135,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings)	0	(176,000)
Cost and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts, net	$ 3,773,000	$ 4,959,000

SELECTED FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Details 2) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Finished products	$ 86,487,000	$ 72,263,000
Work in process	19,708,000	13,739,000
Materials, parts, assemblies and supplies	52,173,000	46,918,000
Contracts-in-process	8,291,000	5,295,000
Less: Billings to date	(1,692,000)	0
Inventories, net of valuation reserves	$ 164,967,000	$ 138,215,000

SELECTED FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Details 3) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Land	$ 3,825,000	$ 3,656,000
Buildings and improvements	46,892,000	38,772,000
Machinery, equipment and tooling	94,297,000	85,095,000
Construction in progress	3,671,000	6,319,000
Property, plant and equipment, gross	148,685,000	133,842,000
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(81,611,000)	(74,839,000)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 67,074,000	$ 59,003,000

SELECTED FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Details 4) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Accrued employee compensation and related payroll taxes	$ 39,330,000	$ 26,556,000
Accrued customer rebates and credits	9,595,000	9,230,000
Accrued additional purchase consideration	11,016,000	4,104,000
Other	16,435,000	12,211,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$ 76,376,000	$ 52,101,000

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Balances	$ 385,016,000	$ 365,243,000
Goodwill acquired	48,968,000	12,920,000
Accrued additional purchase consideration	4,849,000	4,104,000
Adjustments to Goodwill	2,480,000	1,960,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments	2,089,000	789,000
Balances	443,402,000	385,016,000
Flight Support Group [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Balances	188,459,000	188,459,000
Goodwill acquired	3,898,000	0
Accrued additional purchase consideration	0	0
Adjustments to Goodwill	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0	0
Balances	192,357,000	188,459,000
Electronic Technologies Group [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Balances	196,557,000	176,784,000
Goodwill acquired	45,070,000	12,920,000
Accrued additional purchase consideration	4,849,000	4,104,000
Adjustments to Goodwill	2,480,000	1,960,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments	2,089,000	789,000
Balances	$ 251,045,000	$ 196,557,000

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details 1) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 75,836,000	$ 47,912,000
Accumulated Amortization	(22,915,000)	(15,536,000)
Net Carrying Amount	52,921,000	32,376,000
Acquired Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	101,072,000	65,023,000
Net Carrying Amount	78,157,000	49,487,000
Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	25,236,000	17,111,000
Net Carrying Amount	25,236,000	17,111,000
Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	51,934,000	37,338,000
Accumulated Amortization	(18,085,000)	(12,142,000)
Net Carrying Amount	33,849,000	25,196,000
Intellectual Property [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	18,493,000	7,281,000
Accumulated Amortization	(2,236,000)	(1,372,000)
Net Carrying Amount	16,257,000	5,909,000
Licensing Agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	2,900,000	1,000,000
Accumulated Amortization	(854,000)	(621,000)
Net Carrying Amount	2,046,000	379,000
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	1,364,000	1,170,000
Accumulated Amortization	(1,203,000)	(1,019,000)
Net Carrying Amount	161,000	151,000
Patents [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	576,000	554,000
Accumulated Amortization	(313,000)	(270,000)
Net Carrying Amount	263,000	284,000
Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	569,000	569,000
Accumulated Amortization	(224,000)	(112,000)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 345,000	$ 457,000

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	$ 36,000,000	$ 14,000,000
Capital leases and notes payable	4,158,000	221,000
Total debt and capital leases	40,158,000	14,221,000
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt	(335,000)	(148,000)
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	$ 39,823,000	$ 14,073,000

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details 1) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011
2012	$ 455,000
2013	455,000
2014	455,000
2015	455,000
2016	455,000
Thereafter	2,790,000
Total minimum lease payments	5,065,000
Less: amount representing interest	(1,003,000)
Present value of minimum lease payments	$ 4,062,000

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended	2 Months Ended
LONG-TERM DEBT (Details Textuals) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2011 Letter Of Credit [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Swingline [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Base Rate [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Credit Facility [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Libor Rate [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Credit Facility Maximum [Member] Euros [Member]	Dec. 14, 2011 New Credit Facility [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 New Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance of long term debt		$ 43,000
Aggregate balance of long term debt		36,053,000
Maximum amount of borrowing capacity and limit availability under the revolving credit facility		500,000,000		30,000,000	20,000,000		300,000,000		50,000,000	670,000,000
Line of credit facility, interest rate description										The Base Rate is the highest of (i) the Prime Rate; (ii) the Federal Funds rate plus .50% per annum; and (iii)the Adjusted LIBO Rate determined on a daily basis for an Interest Period of one month plus 1.0% per annum.
Line of credit facility interest rate range minimum						0.125%		0.625%
Line of credit facility interest rate range maximum						0.35%		2.25%
Borrowings under revolving credit facility		$ 36,000,000	$ 14,000,000
Weighted average interest rate		0.90%	0.90%
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date	In December 2011, the Company entered into a $670 million Revolving Credit Agreement with a bank syndicate, which matures in December 2016 and replaces the current Credit Facility.						2013, May				2016, December

INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Current:
Federal	$ 38,002,000	$ 29,180,000	$ 25,920,000
State	4,008,000	4,659,000	3,890,000
Foreign	861,000	1,044,000	841,000
Current income tax expense	42,871,000	34,883,000	30,651,000
Deferred	29,000	1,817,000	(2,651,000)
Income tax expense	$ 42,900,000	$ 36,700,000	$ 28,000,000

INCOME TAXES (Details 1)	12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Details 1)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Federal statutory income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State taxes, less applicable federal income tax reduction	1.80%	3.20%	2.50%
Net tax benefit on noncontrolling interests' share of income	(2.50%)	(2.60%)	(2.70%)
Net tax benefit on qualified research and development activities	(2.70%)	(1.00%)	(2.90%)
Net tax benefit on qualified domestic production activities	(1.00%)	(0.80%)	(0.60%)
Other, net	0.40%	(0.10%)	0.60%
Effective tax rate	31.00%	33.70%	31.90%

INCOME TAXES (Details 2) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Deferred tax assets:
Inventories	$ 15,581,000	$ 14,196,000
Deferred compensation liability	11,708,000	9,969,000
Foreign R and D carryforward and credit	3,277,000	2,788,000
Bonus accrual	2,373,000	1,568,000
Stock option compensation	1,947,000	1,068,000
Capital lease obligation	1,354,000	0
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	973,000	896,000
Vacation accrual	877,000	769,000
Warranty reserve	793,000	541,000
Net operating loss carryforward of acquired business	661,000	1,395,000
Customer rebates accrual	616,000	558,000
Other	2,325,000	1,323,000
Total deferred tax assets	42,485,000	35,071,000
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible asset amortization	68,601,000	55,750,000
Accelerated depreciation	4,942,000	3,044,000
Software development costs	2,127,000	1,905,000
Other	1,054,000	773,000
Total deferred tax liabilities	76,724,000	61,472,000
Net deferred tax liability	$ (34,239,000)	$ (26,401,000)

INCOME TAXES (Details 3) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Current asset	$ 22,286,000	$ 18,907,000
Long-term asset	2,374,000	0
Long-term liability	58,899,000	45,308,000
Net deferred tax liability	$ (34,239,000)	$ (26,401,000)

INCOME TAXES (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Details 4) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Balances as of beginning of year	$ 2,306,000	$ 3,328,000
Increases related to prior year tax positions	50,000	46,000
Decreases related to prior year tax positions	(482,000)	(1,229,000)
Increases related to current year tax positions	393,000	551,000
Settlements	(56,000)	(31,000)
Lapse of statutes of limitations	(377,000)	(359,000)
Balances as of end of year	$ 1,834,000	$ 2,306,000

INCOME TAXES (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Details Textuals) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Net deferred tax liability	$ (34,239,000)	$ (26,401,000)
Balances as of beginning of year	1,834,000	2,306,000	3,328,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	1,491,000	1,927,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Net	1,784,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties accrued	152,000
Liability impact from research and development and state tax returns	419,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Expense	21,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Expense	18,000
Tax credit, net of expenses	2,800,000
Liability impact from research and development activities		1,022,000
Income tax examination, increase (decrease) in liability from prior year		932,000
Income tax credit for qualified research and development activities	800,000
Income tax credit from tax related item	2,000,000
Income tax credit from tax related item, state income apportionment updates	900,000
Income tax credit from tax related item, higher research and development tax credits	900,000
Income tax credit from tax related item, other prior year tax returns	$ 200,000

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	$ 31,087,000	$ 26,887,000
Liabilities
Contingent consideration	0	1,150,000
Corporate owned life insurance [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	26,989,000	22,908,000
Equity securities [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	1,150,000	1,267,000
Money market funds and cash [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	920,000	1,165,000
Mutual funds [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	1,004,000	1,002,000
Other [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	1,024,000	545,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	3,074,000	3,434,000
Liabilities
Contingent consideration	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Corporate owned life insurance [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Equity securities [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	1,150,000	1,267,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Money market funds and cash [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	920,000	1,165,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Mutual funds [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	1,004,000	1,002,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Other [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	27,440,000	23,453,000
Liabilities
Contingent consideration	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Corporate owned life insurance [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	26,989,000	22,908,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Equity securities [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Money market funds and cash [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Mutual funds [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Other [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	451,000	545,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	573,000	0
Liabilities
Contingent consideration	0	1,150,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Corporate owned life insurance [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Equity securities [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Money market funds and cash [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Mutual funds [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Other [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plans	$ 573,000	$ 0

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details 1) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Balance, Assets	$ 0	$ 0
Contingent consideration related to acquisition	0
Reduction in value of contingent consideration	0
Purchases	550,000
Total unrealized gains	23,000
Balance, Assets	573,000	0	0
Balance, Liabilities	1,150,000	0
Contingent consideration related to acquisition	1,150,000	0	0
Reduction in value of contingent consideration	(1,150,000)
Purchases	0
Total unrealized gains	0
Balance, Liabilities	$ 0	$ 1,150,000	$ 0