Erickson (EACIQ) 10-Q 7 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'EAC	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Erickson Air-Crane Inc.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001490165	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	13,787,914

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$5,302	$1,468
Restricted cash	2,853	3,781
Accounts receivable net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $742 and $460 in 2013 and 2012, respectively	71,346	24,446
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,831	1,426
Income tax receivable	1,610	1,048
Deferred tax assets	9,656	8,208
Total current assets	96,598	40,377
Aircraft support parts, net	124,939	93,041
Aircraft, net	128,707	66,673
Property, plant, and equipment, net	91,926	54,675
Other intangible assets, net	23,597	'
Goodwill	252,520	'
Other non-current assets	35,117	2,057
Total assets	753,404	256,823
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	28,179	8,746
Current portion of long-term debt	'	71,202
Accrued and other current liabilities	50,144	19,662
Income tax payable	2,528	6,275
Total current liabilities	80,851	105,885
Long-term debt, less current portion	16,060	26,674
Long-term revolving credit facilities	54,513	'
Long-term notes payable	355,000	'
Other long-term liabilities	11,000	1,415
Uncertain tax positions	18,286	'
Deferred tax liabilities	22,416	17,481
Total liabilities	558,126	151,455
Stockholders' equity (deficit):	'	'
Common stock; $0.0001 par value; 110,000,000 shares authorized; 13,786,290 and 9,726,785 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	1	1
Additional paid-in capital	179,845	101,833
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	13,803	2,447
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	579	71
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) attributable to Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated	194,228	104,352
Noncontrolling interest	1,050	1,016
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	195,278	105,368
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$753,404	$256,823

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowances for doubtful accounts	$742	$460
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, Authorized shares	110,000,000	110,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	13,786,290	9,726,785
Common stock, outstanding	13,786,290	9,726,785

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net revenues	$120,226	$76,261	$225,756	$141,747
Cost of revenues	74,041	39,719	152,808	90,845
Gross profit	46,185	36,542	72,948	50,902
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
General and administrative	10,107	3,973	26,486	11,405
Research and development	1,154	995	3,116	3,425
Selling and marketing	1,642	1,097	5,507	4,177
Total operating expenses	12,903	6,065	35,109	19,007
Operating income (loss)	33,282	30,477	37,839	31,895
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest income (expense), net	-8,665	-1,524	-16,516	-5,537
Interest income (expense) related to tax contingencies	-560	'	-871	'
Amortization of debt issuance costs	-599	-297	-1,386	-852
Unrealized foreign exchange gain (loss)	159	-13	299	28
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	'	'	-215	'
Realized foreign exchange gain (loss)	-68	-108	-218	207
Gain on disposal of equipment	20	'	41	'
Other income (expense), net	95	1	-267	920
Total other income (expense)	-9,618	-1,941	-19,133	-5,234
Net income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	23,664	28,536	18,706	26,661
Income tax expense (benefit)	9,176	10,902	7,009	10,168
Net income (loss)	14,488	17,634	11,697	16,493
Less: Net (income) loss related to noncontrolling interest	37	-78	-341	-315
Net income (loss) attributable to Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated	14,525	17,556	11,356	16,178
Dividends on Redeemable Preferred Stock	'	'	'	2,794
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	14,525	17,556	11,356	13,384
Net income (loss)	14,488	17,634	11,697	16,493
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	727	158	542	117
Comprehensive income (loss)	15,215	17,792	12,239	16,610
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	-14	-97	-375	-311
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated	$15,201	$17,695	$11,864	$16,299
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders	'	'	'	'
Basic	$1.26	$1.80	$1.10	$2.21
Diluted	$1.05	$1.80	$1.02	$2.21
Weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'
Basic	11,562,465	9,756,478	10,356,507	6,051,346
Diluted	13,813,514	9,756,478	11,122,050	6,051,346

Consolidated_Statements_of_Pre

Consolidated Statements of Preferred Stock and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock Class A [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) of Erickson Air-Crane [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest Amount [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	($9,145,000)	$1,000	$66,161,000	'	'	($9,988,000)	($36,000)	($10,023,000)	$878,000
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	'	1,000	34,999.50	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends accrued on Redeemable Preferred Stock	-2,795,000	'	2,795,000	'	'	-2,795,000	'	-2,795,000	'
Noncontrolling interest dividend	-297,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-297,000
Issuance of Restricted Stock Units	'	'	'	86,010	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion of Redeemable Preferred, Series A Preferred Stock and Class A Common Stock to common stock	68,956,000	-1,000	-68,956,000	500	68,956,000	'	'	68,956,000	'
Conversion of Redeemable Preferred, Series A Preferred Stock and Class A Common Stock to common stock (in shares)	'	-1,000	-34,999.50	4,802,970	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock related to IPO, net of expense	31,454,000	'	'	500	31,454,000	'	'	31,454,000	'
Issuance of common stock related to IPO, net of expense (in shares)	'	'	'	4,800,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	2,118,000	'	'	'	2,118,000	'	'	2,118,000	'
Stock-based compensation (in shares)	'	'	'	214,933	'	'	'	'	'
Shares withheld for payment of taxes	-695,000	'	'	'	-695,000	'	'	-695,000	'
Shares withheld for payment of taxes (in shares)	'	'	'	-91,118	'	'	'	'	'
Components of comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	15,636,000	'	'	'	'	15,230,000	'	15,230,000	406,000
Foreign currency translation	136,000	'	'	'	'	'	107,000	107,000	29,000
Comprehensive income (loss)	15,772,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	105,368,000	'	'	1,000	101,833,000	2,447,000	71,000	104,352,000	1,016,000
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	'	'	9,726,785	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of Series A Preferred Stock	'	'	78,044,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of Series A Preferred Stock (in shares)	'	'	4,008,439	'	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interest dividend	-341,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-341,000
Conversion of Redeemable Preferred, Series A Preferred Stock and Class A Common Stock to common stock	78,044,000	'	-78,044,000	'	78,044,000	'	'	78,044,000	'
Conversion of Redeemable Preferred, Series A Preferred Stock and Class A Common Stock to common stock (in shares)	'	'	-4,008,439	4,008,439	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	665,000	'	'	'	665,000	'	'	665,000	'
Stock-based compensation (in shares)	'	'	'	86,010	'	'	'	'	'
Shares withheld for payment of taxes	-697,000	'	'	'	-697,000	'	'	-697,000	'
Shares withheld for payment of taxes (in shares)	'	'	'	-34,944	'	'	'	'	'
Components of comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	11,697,000	'	'	'	'	11,356,000	'	11,356,000	341,000
Foreign currency translation	542,000	'	'	'	'	'	508,000	508,000	34,000
Comprehensive income (loss)	12,239,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$195,278,000	'	'	$1,000	$179,845,000	$13,803,000	$579,000	$194,228,000	$1,050,000
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013	'	'	'	13,786,290	'	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	$14,488	$17,634	$11,697	$16,493
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	11,566	7,670	25,439	16,413
Deferred income taxes	8,460	10,333	4,665	8,790
Non-cash interest expense on debt	579	641	1,776	2,539
Amortization of debt issuance costs	599	297	1,386	852
Non-cash interest on tax contingencies	560	'	871	'
Stock-based compensation	255	433	665	1,729
Write-off of debt issuance costs related to the early extinguishment of debt	'	'	215	'
Non-cash interest income on loans	-58	'	-99	'
Gain on sale of equipment	-20	'	-41	'
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisitions of businesses:	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	-12,799	-19,747	-26,482	-23,432
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-380	1,468	-2,018	2,227
Income tax receivable	-246	-19	-561	-543
Aircraft support parts, net	-9,999	-5,556	-23,193	-17,137
Other non-current assets	-1,622	'	-4,303	'
Accounts payable	4,736	113	-20,740	-494
Accrued and other current liabilities	-3,273	11,031	2,739	10,855
Income tax payable	25	360	1,256	1,319
Other long-term liabilities	-1,119	156	164	-520
Uncertain tax positions	463	'	732	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	12,216	24,814	-25,831	19,091
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'	'
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (see Note 6)	-22,998	'	-231,868	'
Restricted cash	45,953	1,238	942	1,442
Purchases of aircraft and property, plant, and equipment	-7,733	-1,052	-32,366	-4,341
Purchases of intangible assets	-2,200	'	-2,200	'
Decrease (increase) in other assets	'	-321	-35	-26
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	'	'	-341	-297
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	13,022	-135	-265,868	-3,222
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of expenses	'	'	'	31,454
Repayments of subordinated notes	'	'	-27,572	'
Repayments of credit facilities	-30,382	-76,183	-214,799	-238,014
Borrowings from credit facilities	49,535	51,726	197,387	192,487
Borrowing of notes	'	'	400,000	'
Repayments of notes	-45,000	'	-45,000	'
Debt issuance costs	-691	-274	-14,667	-274
Shares withheld for payment of taxes	-84	'	-697	'
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-26,622	-24,731	294,652	-14,347
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	865	14	881	-20
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-519	-38	3,834	1,502
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	5,821	1,808	1,468	268
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	5,302	1,770	5,302	1,770
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'	'	'
Cash paid during the period for interest	1,972	851	11,820	2,813
Net cash paid (received)during period for income taxes	$526	$176	$971	$496

Description_of_the_Business

Description of the Business	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Description of the Business	'
	Note 1. Description of the Business
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (“EAC”) and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies: EAC Acquisition Corporation (“EAC Acq.”), Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“EHI”), CAC Development Ltd. (“Canada”), Canadian Air-Crane Ltd. (“CAC”), Erickson Air-Crane Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (“EACM”), European Air-Crane S.p.A. (“EuAC”), EAC do Brasil Participações LTDA, Air Amazonia Serviços Aeronáuticos Ltda. (“Air Amazonia”) and Dutch Air-Crane B.V. (“DAC”) (collectively referred to as “the Company”). EuAC owns a 60% equity interest in Societa Italiania de Manutenzioni Aeroautiche S.p.A. (“SIMA”), which is an aircraft maintenance organization located in Lucca, Italy; and EACM owns a 49% equity interest in Layang-Layang Services Sdn. Bhd., which provides aircraft rental services in Malaysia.
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company owned a fleet of 20 heavy lift helicopters, comprised of 13 S-64E and seven S-64F model Aircranes, and 36 medium and light lift aircraft of varying model types, comprised of 28 rotor wing aircraft and eight fixed-wing aircraft. As of September 30, 2013, the Company leased a fleet of 34 medium and light lift aircraft of varying types, comprised of 29 rotary wing aircraft and five fixed wing aircraft. The Company’s fleet operations span the globe, including a presence in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia. As of September 30, 2013, 14 of the owned aircraft and 21 of the leased aircraft were deployed outside of North America.
	The Company owns the Type Certificate and Production Certificate for the S-64 Aircrane which gives it the authorization to convert and remanufacture the S-64 Aircrane for its own use or to sell to third parties. The Company holds a Type Certificate issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (“EASA”) certifying the S-64F model which allows the Aircrane to be sold to third parties in the European Union. The Company also holds a Repair Station Certificate which allows the Company to repair and overhaul airframes and components for Aircranes and certain other aircraft. During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, the Company purchased a Type Certificate from Pratt & Whitney for engines used in the S-64 Aircrane.
	Fiscal 2013
	On May 2, 2013, the Company closed its $400.0 million aggregate principal note offering of 8.25% second priority senior secured obligations due 2020 (the “Notes”). Net proceeds from the offering were approximately $386.4 million after deducting the initial purchasers’ commissions and estimated transaction fees and expenses. The Company used the net proceeds of the offering to (i) finance a portion of the purchase price for the EHI acquisition (see “Note 6 — Acquisitions”), (ii) refinance its 2015 Subordinated Notes and 2016 Subordinated Notes, (iii) refinance its prior senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, comprised of the Term Debt and Revolving Line of Credit, (iv) pay related fees and expenses and (v) record the remaining cash to the balance sheet. A total of $46.0 million of the net proceeds were deposited in escrow on May 2, 2013, consisting of $45.0 million of aggregate principal and $1.0 million related to anticipated interest, to be used toward the acquisition of Air Amazonia, the aerial services business of Brazil-based HRT Participações em Petroleo, S.A.(“HRT”). These proceeds of the offering were not released from escrow to consummate the Air Amazonia acquisition before July 31, 2013, and as a result, pursuant to the terms of the Notes, an aggregate principal amount of Notes equal to $45.0 million were redeemed, on a pro rata basis, on August 5, 2013 pursuant to a special mandatory redemption, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, August 5, 2013. The Company completed the acquisition of Air Amazonia on September 3, 2013, funding the purchase price with borrowings from its senior secured asset-based credit facility also entered into on May 2, 2013 (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). See “Note 6 — Acquisitions” for further information.
	On May 2, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of EHI, based in McMinnville, Oregon, and prior to the acquisition, a wholly owned subsidiary of Evergreen International Aviation, Inc. (“EIA”). EHI operated a fleet that consisted of 63 aircraft as of May 2, 2013, which included varying rotary-wing and fixed-wing types for a wide range of passenger transport and light, medium and heavy load-carrying missions. This diverse fleet serves both government and commercial customers, including programs with the U.S. military in support of overseas operations. EHI maintains a global presence with operations in North America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific (see “Note 6 — Acquisitions”).
	On September 3, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of Air Amazonia which included a fleet of six rotor wing aircraft and ground facilities. This fleet serves oil and gas activities in the Solimoes region of Brazil. In addition to the acquired fleet, the Company also has the right of first refusal to purchase any or all of HRT’s remaining eight aircraft over the 12 months from the closing date of the acquisition and the right of first refusal on all helicopter services in the Solimoes region of Brazil from HRT as operator, as well as on all helicopter services in all of Brazil (including offshore) from HRT.
	Fiscal 2012
	In April 2012, the Company completed its initial public offering of common stock in which a total of 4,800,000 shares of common stock were sold and issued, including 1,050,000 shares purchased by the existing stockholders of the Company, at an issue price of $8.00 per share. The Company raised a total of $38.4 million in gross proceeds from the initial public offering, or approximately $31.5 million in net proceeds after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of $2.1 million and offering costs of $4.8 million. Upon the closing of the initial public offering, all shares of the Company’s redeemable preferred stock (“Redeemable Preferred Stock”) and Class A common stock then outstanding automatically converted into an aggregate of 4,802,970 shares of the Company’s common stock. Proceeds received from the initial public offering were used to pay down indebtedness.

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Note 2. Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts and transactions of all majority owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. In presenting these unaudited consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgments and available information at a point in time. As such, actual results could differ from those estimates. In management’s opinion, the unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of interim results reported.
	The results of operations reported for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the entire year or any subsequent interim period.
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and following the guidance of Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X for interim financial statements required to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). As permitted under such rules, certain notes and other financial information normally required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted; however, the unaudited consolidated financial statements do include such notes and financial information sufficient so as to make the interim information presented not misleading. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes as of December 31, 2012 included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2013.
	The balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.
	Reclassification has been made to prior period amounts of deferred overhauls from aircraft support parts, net to property, plant, and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to current period presentation. (See “Note 4 — Aircraft Support Parts, net”). Such reclassification had no effect on previously reported consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity or statements of comprehensive income (loss).
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the FASB issued accounting standards update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11 “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists,” to resolve the diversity in practice in the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 for all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Early adoption is permitted and retrospective application is permitted. The Company has not elected early adoption or retrospective application of this ASU and the Company will continue to evaluate the impact adopting this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05 “Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity,” to resolve the diversity in practice about whether Subtopic 810-10, Consolidation—Overall, or Subtopic 830-30, Foreign Currency Matters—Translation of Financial Statements, applies to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business (other than a sale of in substance real estate or conveyance of oil and gas mineral rights) within a foreign entity. The standards update is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. As the Company has not ceased to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business within a foreign entity, the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02 “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” requiring new disclosures for items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), including (1) changes in AOCI balances by component and (2) significant items reclassified out of AOCI. The guidance does not amend any existing requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in the financial statements. The standards update was effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012, to be applied prospectively. As this guidance only requires expanded disclosures, the adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
	In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01 “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities,” to clarify the scope of ASU 2011-11. This ASU would apply to derivatives including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are either offset in accordance with Section 210-20-45 or Section 815-10-45 or are subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The ASU was effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods to be applied retrospectively. As this guidance only requires expanded disclosures, the adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Accounts_Receivable_and_Allowa

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Note 3. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	Accounts receivable consisted of the following (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Trade accounts receivable		$	67,680		$	23,387
	Other receivables			4,408			1,519
	Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts			(742	)		(460	)
			$	71,346		$	24,446
	The Company had bad debt expense of $0.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2013 and had a net recovery of bad debt expense of $0.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012. The Company had bad debt expense of $0.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and had no net bad debt expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
	The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and believes it has made adequate provisions for potential credit losses. The Company does not generally require collateral on accounts receivable; however, under certain circumstances, the Company may require from its customers a letter of credit, a parent corporation guarantee, or full or partial prepayment prior to performing services. The Company estimates its allowance for doubtful accounts using a specific identification method based on an evaluation of payment history, the customer’s credit situation, and other factors.
	At September 30, 2013, four customers made up 45.1% of the Company’s accounts receivable balance. At December 31, 2012, three customers made up 54.3% of the Company’s accounts receivable balance.
	The following is a summary of customers that accounted for at least 10% of the total current and non-current trade receivables for the Company as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Fluor			14.1	%		—
	NAMSA(1)			12.8	%		—
	Army Contracting Command—Rock Island			10.5	%		—
	Hellenic Fire Brigade(1)			7.7	%		23.9	%
	Italian Ministry of Civil Protection			—			15.5	%
	Helicorp (Australia)			—			14.9	%
				45.1	%		54.3	%
	-1	On May 23, 2012, the Company entered into a three year agreement with the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (“NAMSA”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to supply aerial firefighting services in Greece for the 2012 to 2014 firefighting seasons. Prior to the agreement with NAMSA, the Company contracted directly with the Hellenic Fire Brigade to provide firefighting services in Greece. At September 30, 2013, the receivable from Hellenic Fire Brigade was classified in other non-current assets due to the long-term nature of obtaining resolution regarding the Company’s permanent establishment status in Greece.
	The following is a summary of customers that accounted for at least 10% of the Company’s net revenues in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
			Three Months			Three Months			Nine Months			Nine Months
			Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended
			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	U.S. Forest Service			26.7	%		44.9	%		18	%		32.2	%
	Fluor (1)			14	%		—			12	%		—
	NAMSA (Greece)			6.8	%		13	%		4.4	%		8.4	%
	Italian Ministry of Civil Protection			1.1	%		14.1	%		3.7	%		14.3	%
				48.6	%		72	%		38.1	%		54.9	%
	-1	Fluor was a customer serviced by EHI for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2012.
	The Company entered into a collaborative agreement during the three months ended September 30, 2013 for the ongoing development and testing of composite main rotor blades for the Aircrane and the CH-54. The agreement calls for the parties to equally share costs associated with the completion of testing. Under the agreement, once the testing and certifications are completed, the Company maintains the sole and exclusive right to sell the blades for the S-64E and S-64F helicopters to third parties. The purchaser of the intellectual property received the sole and exclusive right to sell the composite blades for the CH-54A and CH-54B helicopters to third parties. The initial sale of the intellectual property to the counterparty of the collaborative agreement was recorded in net revenues on the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Company’s portion of ongoing project costs, to the extent they qualify for capitalization on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, are included as aircraft support parts, net and property, plant, and equipment, net. The Company’s portion of these costs that are to be expensed as incurred are classified on the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) as research and development expense.

Aircraft_Support_Parts_net

Aircraft Support Parts, net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Aircraft Support Parts, net	'
	Note 4. Aircraft Support Parts, net
	Aircraft support parts, net consists of aircraft parts and work-in-process which are valued at the lower of cost or market utilizing the first-in first-out method. Costs capitalized in aircraft support parts include materials, labor, and operating overhead. Work-in-process consists of remanufactured aircraft in various stages of production and in-process aircraft support parts. Upon completion of an aircraft remanufacture, based on the demand for the Company’s services, the Company may transfer an aircraft into its fleet. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were zero and one aircraft being remanufactured, respectively.
	Reclassification has been made to prior period amounts of deferred overhauls from aircraft support parts, net to property, plant, and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to current period presentation and to conform to common industry presentation. Such reclassification had no effect on previously reported consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity or statements of comprehensive income (loss). The prior period reclassification includes $36.3 million of deferred overhauls and $4.0 million of related work-in-process from aircraft support parts, net to property, plant, and equipment, net at December 31, 2012. Deferred overhauls will be presented separately in property, plant, and equipment, net, while work-in-process related to deferred overhauls will be presented in construction-in-progress within property, plant, and equipment, net.
	Aircraft support parts consisted of the following (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Aircraft parts		$	112,804		$	71,331
	Work-in-process(1)			18,030			27,770
	Less: Excess and obsolete reserve			(5,895	)		(6,060	)
	Total		$	124,939		$	93,041
	-1	Work-in-process includes aircraft being remanufactured of zero and $8.5 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Aircraft_and_Property_Plant_an

Aircraft and Property, Plant and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Aircraft and Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Note 5. Aircraft and Property, Plant and Equipment
	Aircraft consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Aircraft	$	150,204		$	82,735
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(21,497	)		(16,062	)
		$	128,707		$	66,673
	Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Land and land improvements	$	308		$	308
	Buildings		5,736			1,499
	Vehicles and equipment		25,443			22,702
	Deferred overhauls, net (see Note 4)		60,770			36,256
	Construction-in-progress (see Note 4)		15,379			6,821
			107,636			67,586
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(15,710	)		(12,911	)
		$	91,926		$	54,675
	During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, depreciation expense was $4.2 million and $2.3 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, depreciation expense was $9.9 million and $6.3 million, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, amortization expense associated with deferred overhauls was $6.6 million and $5.4 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, amortization expense associated with deferred overhauls was $14.3 million and $10.1 million, respectively.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Note 6. Acquisitions
	Evergreen Helicopters, Inc.
	On May 2, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of EHI, based in McMinnville Oregon, and prior to the acquisition, a wholly owned subsidiary of EIA. EHI operates a fleet of aircraft of varying rotary-wing and fixed-wing types for a wide range of passenger transport and light, medium and heavy load-carrying missions. This diverse fleet serves both government and commercial customers, including programs with the U.S. military in support of overseas operations. EHI maintains a global presence with operations in North America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
	The Company purchased 100% of the outstanding share capital of EHI for $251.6 million, consisting of $186.6 million in cash, $17.5 million in the Company’s subordinated notes, and 4,008,439 shares of the Company’s Mandatorily Convertible Cumulative Participating Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) valued at $47.5 million based on an agreed upon value of $11.85 per share. The Series A Preferred Stock, converted according to its terms at the Company’s option into an equal number of shares of common stock. The fair value of the Series A Preferred Stock issued as part of the consideration transferred was measured on the acquisition date at the then-current fair value and resulted in a per share equity component different from the $11.85 per share agreed upon value of preferred stock of the Company. The Company issued 4,008,439 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, valued at $78.0 million, or $19.47 per share on the acquisition date. The fair value of the subordinated notes was estimated at $15.9 million, assuming a market level borrowing rate of 9.0%.
	In connection with the acquisition of EHI, EHI purchased nine aircraft from an affiliated entity of EIA for an aggregate purchase price of $13.0 million, all of which was paid by the Company at closing.
	In connection with the acquisition of EHI, consideration transferred included a term note receivable for the estimated working capital shortfall of EHI. EIA issued a term loan note with principal value of $6.15 million to the Company to fund the working capital shortfall of EHI. The term loan note fair value of $5.0 million assumes a market level borrowing rate of 11.0%. The Company is in the process of finalizing the working capital adjustment under the purchase agreement.
	In connection with the acquisition of EHI, the Company prepaid $6.8 million to a lessor, an affiliated entity of EIA and EHI, on the acquisition date for the remaining future lease obligations on three aircraft and returned the aircraft to the lessor on the acquisition date. As the transaction was entered into primarily for the benefit of the affiliated entity of EIA and EHI, the Company included the transaction as consideration transferred.
	The following table presents the fair value of the consideration transferred (in thousands):
			Consideration
			Transferred
	Cash		$	186,615
	Consideration for nine aircraft purchased from an affiliated entity of EIA			12,971
	Prepayment of aircraft lease expense to an affiliated entity of EIA			6,808
	Prepayment of McMinnville headquarters lease			2,616
	Total cash consideration transferred			209,010
	Series A Preferred Stock			78,044
	Subordinated notes			15,900
	Term loan note receivable			(4,960	)
	Total consideration transferred		$	297,994
	The Company incurred approximately $1.7 million and $7.2 million in acquisition and integration-related expenses during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, which are included in general and administrative expenses.
	The assets purchased and liabilities assumed for EHI have been reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013, and the results of operations of EHI are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) since the closing date of the acquisition. The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The Company is in the process of finalizing the purchase accounting related to the acquisition, including the working capital adjustment under the purchase agreement; thus, the estimated amounts presented herein are subject to change:
	(in thousands)		May 2, 2013
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	140
	Accounts receivables			25,134
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets			2,036
	Aircraft support parts			20,380
	Aircraft, net			23,291
	Property, plant and equipment			35,413
	Goodwill(1)			248,466
	Other intangible assets			19,700
	Other non-current assets			5,005
	Accounts payable			(39,634	)
	Accrued liabilities			(22,358	)
	Uncertain tax positions			(11,030	)
	Other long-term liabilities			(8,549	)
	Total purchase price		$	297,994
	-1	EHI has certain Federal Aviation Administration certificates (“FAA Certificates”) and Department of Defense Commercial Airlift Review Board designations (“DOD CARB”). EHI had accumulated FAA Certificates and DOD CARB through its 50 years of operating history and it would require a significant amount of resources and time for an independent party to recreate these intangible assets. FAA Certificates and DOD CARB are designated to specific aircraft and cannot be transferred or purchased separately and are considered a part of goodwill.
	Intangible assets assumed include goodwill of $248.5 million, customer relationships of $19.3 million amortized over a period of 9 years, and tradenames of $0.4 million amortized over a period of 6 months. The goodwill and other intangible assets totaling $268.2 million will be amortized over a 15 year period for tax purposes.
	Liabilities assumed include $19.8 million in deferred maintenance costs consisting of aircraft lease return-to-service liabilities. In connection with the Company’s acquisition of EHI from EIA, the Company pre-negotiated accelerated timelines and return-to-service obligations with the lessors of EHI in exchange for obtaining consent for the transfer of the leases to the Company. These obligations are binding and therefore the related return-to-service costs are highly probable. The deferred maintenance costs were a result of cash constraints on EIA, which caused EHI to remove parts from the affected aircraft which were installed on other aircraft under contract. The Company estimated the return-to-service obligations for nine leased aircraft using historical maintenance costs incurred for the same or like components during the year ended December 31, 2012.
	Pro Forma Results of Operations
	The following pro forma information presents a summary of the Company’s results of operations assuming the EHI acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented. The pro forma results include the straight-line amortization associated with acquired intangible assets consisting of customer relationships of $19.3 million amortized over a period of nine years and tradenames of $0.4 million amortized over a period of six months, fair value adjustments to depreciable property, plant, and equipment assets, and interest expense associated with debt used to fund the acquisition. The following pro forma information assumes the shares of Series A Preferred Stock had converted into the same number of shares of common stock at the beginning of the periods presented. To better reflect the combined operating results, significant nonrecurring acquisition-related expenses directly attributable to the transaction have been excluded. In addition, the pro forma results do not include any anticipated synergies or other expected benefits of the acquisition. Accordingly, the unaudited pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred if the acquisition had been completed at the beginning of the periods presented, nor is it necessarily indicative of future results.
	(in thousands, except share and per share data)		Three Months			Three Months		Nine months		Nine months
			Ended			Ended		Ended		Ended
			September 30,			September 30,		September 30,		September 30,
			2013			2012		2013		2012
	Net revenues		$	120,226		$	127,158	$	286,231	$	294,110
	Net income (loss) attributable to common		$	14,525		$	20,524	$	20,252	$	18,573
	stockholders
	Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders
	Basic		$	1.05		$	1.49	$	1.47	$	1.85
	Diluted		$	1.05		$	1.49	$	1.47	$	1.85
	Weighted average shares outstanding
	Basic(1)			13,784,537			13,764,917		13,762,947		10,059,785
	Diluted(1)			13,813,519			13,764,917		13,779,663		10,059,785
	-1	Weighted average shares outstanding for the purposes of the above pro forma calculation assume the 4,008,439 shares of Series A Preferred Stock converted into the same number of shares of common stock at the beginning of the periods presented.
	Air Amazonia
	On September 3, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of Air Amazonia, the aerial services business of HRT, based in Brazil, including a fleet of six rotor wing aircraft and ground facilities. This fleet serves oil and gas activities in the Solimoes region of Brazil. In addition to the acquired fleet, the Company also has the right of first refusal to purchase any or all of HRT’s remaining eight aircraft over the 12 months from the closing date of the acquisition and the right of first refusal on all helicopter services in the Solimoes region of Brazil from HRT as operator, as well as on all helicopter services in all of Brazil (including offshore) from HRT.
	In connection with the acquisition of Air Amazonia, consideration transferred included cash of $23.1 million at closing for the business, which includes a fully operational fleet of six rotary-wing aircraft of varying types and mission capabilities and an additional $3.0 million within 12 months of closing.
	During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company incurred approximately $0.6 million and $1.3 million in acquisition and integration-related expenses, respectively, and these costs are included in general and administrative expenses.
	The assets purchased and liabilities assumed for Air Amazonia have been reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013, and the results of operations of Air Amazonia are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) since the closing date of the acquisition. The preliminary assessment included aircraft of $20.0 million and goodwill and other intangible assets of $7.6 million. The Company is in the process of finalizing the purchase accounting related to the acquisition, including the working capital adjustment under the purchase agreement; thus, the estimated amounts presented herein are subject to change.

Accrued_and_Other_Current_Liab

Accrued and Other Current Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Accrued and Other Current Liabilities	'
	Note 7. Accrued and Other Current Liabilities
	Accrued and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Deferred maintenance on aircraft (see Note 6)	$	13,824	$	—
	Compensation and benefits, including taxes		11,335		6,630
	Interest		12,371		1,099
	Deferred revenue		1,741		1,242
	Advance from Cambiano (see Note 8)		—		2,025
	Cost per hour (see Note 15)		1,087		3,569
	Other		9,786		5,097
	Total	$	50,144	$	19,662

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Note 8. Debt
	Outstanding debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Notes	$	355,000	$	—
	Revolving Credit Facility		54,513		—
	2020 subordinated notes		16,060		—
	Term debt		—		48,750
	Revolving line of credit		—		22,452
	2015 and 2016 subordinated notes		—		26,674
		$	425,573	$	97,876
	Notes Offering
	On May 2, 2013, the Company closed its $400.0 million aggregate principal note offering. The Notes bear interest at 8.25%, are second priority senior secured obligations, and are due in 2020. The Notes are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s existing and future domestic subsidiaries.
	The Company used the net proceeds of the offering to (i) finance a portion of the purchase price for the EHI acquisition, (ii) refinance its 2015 Subordinated Notes and 2016 Subordinated Notes, (iii) refinance its prior senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, comprised of the Term Debt and Revolving Line of Credit, (iv) pay related fees and expenses, and (v) record the remaining cash to the balance sheet.
	The indenture under which the Notes were issued, among other things, limits the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to: (i) pay dividends or distributions, repurchase equity, prepay subordinated debt or make certain investments; (ii) incur additional debt or issue certain disqualified stock and preferred stock; (iii) incur liens on assets; (iv) merge or consolidate with another company or sell all or substantially all assets; (v) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (vi) allow to exist certain restrictions on the ability of the guarantors to pay dividends or make other payments to the Company.
	The Notes are secured by second-position liens, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens, on substantially all of the Company and the guarantors’ existing and future assets that secure the Company’s new Revolving Credit Facility.
	The interest rate on the Notes is fixed at 8.25%. The outstanding balance under the Notes at September 30, 2013 was $355.0 million.
	A total of $46.0 million of the net proceeds were initially deposited in escrow, consisting of $45.0 million of aggregate principal and $1.0 million related to anticipated interest, to be used toward the acquisition of Air Amazonia. Pursuant to the terms of the Notes, these proceeds of the offering were not released from escrow to consummate the Air Amazonia acquisition before July 31, 2013, and as a result, an aggregate principal amount of Notes equal to $45.0 million were redeemed, on a pro rata basis, on August 5, 2013 pursuant to a special mandatory redemption, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, August 5, 2013. The Company funded the purchase price of the Air Amazonia acquisition with borrowings from its Revolving Credit Facility during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013 (see “Note 6 —Acquisitions”).
	Revolving Credit Facility
	On May 2, 2013, the Company entered into the Revolving Credit Facility, providing a new $100.0 million, five-year revolving credit facility with a group of financial institutions led by Wells Fargo Bank N.A. and including Bank of the West, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, and HSBC Bank USA NA. On June 14, 2013, the Revolving Credit Facility was amended to increase the maximum aggregate amount that the Company may borrow from $100.0 million to $125.0 million. The interest rate under the Revolving Credit Facility is 325-450 basis points over LIBOR depending on the Company’s senior leverage ratio. The proceeds under the Revolving Credit Facility are primarily used for general corporate purposes and the Company used a portion of the proceeds to fund the purchase price of the Air Amazonia acquisition.
	The Company and each of the Company’s current and future, direct and indirect, material subsidiaries guarantee the indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility on a senior secured first lien basis.
	The Revolving Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants, including, without limitation, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.20:1.00 if the Company’s average excess availability, as calculated pursuant to the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility, is greater than $15.0 million or 1.05:1.00 if the Company’s average excess availability, as calculated pursuant to the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility, is less than or equal to $15.0 million and an annual growth capital expenditures limit of approximately $25.0 million, subject to standard carry-over provisions.
	The Revolving Credit Facility includes mandatory prepayment requirements for the certain types of transactions, including, without limitation, requiring prepayment from (a) proceeds that the Company receives as a result of certain asset sales, subject to re-investment provisions on terms to be determined, and (b) proceeds from extraordinary receipts.
	The outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility at September 30, 2013 was $54.5 million. The weighted average interest rate for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility for the three and nine months (from inception on May 2, 2013) ended September 30, 2013 was 5.34% and 5.43%, respectively. The interest rate at September 30, 2013 was 5.03%. As of September 30, 2013 the Company had $4.6 million in outstanding standby letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility and maximum borrowing availability was $65.8 million.
	2020 Subordinated Notes
	Pursuant to the terms of the EHI stock purchase agreement, the consideration included $17.5 million of the Company’s subordinated notes. The subordinated notes accrue interest at a fixed rate of 6.0% per annum, mature on November 2, 2020, and may be prepaid at the Company’s option. Upon an event of default under the subordinated notes, the interest rate will increase to 8.0% per annum until the event of default is cured. The Company has agreed to pay, in cash, quarterly installments of interest only (in arrears) until March 31, 2015, after which date the Company has agreed to pay, in addition to such interest, on a quarterly basis $1.0 million in principal. Upon any refinancing of the Notes or the Revolving Credit Facility the principal amount of the subordinated notes with all accrued interest thereon will become due and payable. Upon a change of control, the principal amount together with all accrued interest shall forthwith be due and payable. Until the principal amount of the subordinated notes together with all accrued interest thereon has been paid in full, the Company and its subsidiaries may not declare or pay any dividend, make any payment on account of, or take certain other actions in respect of any of the Company or its subsidiaries’ equity interests, subject to certain exceptions.
	For purchase accounting of the EHI acquisition, the fair value of the subordinated notes was estimated at $15.9 million, assuming a market level borrowing rate of 9.00%. The outstanding balance under the 2020 Subordinated Notes at September 30, 2013 was $17.5 million, comprised of the $16.0 million fair value and $1.5 million related to the unamortized discount on the debt, for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013. The weighted average interest rate for borrowings under the 2020 Subordinated Notes was 6.00%.
	Term Debt and Revolving Line of Credit
	At the end of June 2010, the Company entered into a credit agreement with a bank syndicate led by Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), which consisted of up to $132.5 million in senior secured asset-based revolving credit facilities, including a $65.0 million term loan facility (“Term Debt”) and a revolving credit facility (“Revolving Line of Credit”) of up to $67.5 million. The Revolving Line of Credit had a $30.0 million sublimit for issuance of letters of credit and a $10.0 million sublimit for swingline loans. In connection with the $400.0 million Notes offering and the Revolving Credit Facility, all of the Term Debt and Revolving Line of Credit, were paid in full to Wells Fargo and were discontinued on May 2, 2013.
	The interest rate on the senior credit facilities was calculated based on LIBOR or a base rate. The base rate was the higher of the federal funds rate plus 150 basis points, the prime rate as quoted by Wells Fargo, or LIBOR plus 150 basis points. The interest rate was calculated as LIBOR or base rate plus a LIBOR margin or base rate margin, respectively. Margin rates were tied to the total senior debt leverage covenant per the Company’s credit agreement. LIBOR margin ranges between 2.75% and 5.00% and base rate margin ranges between 1.75% and 4.00%. The Company paid an unused commitment fee between 0.375% and 0.625% and fees between 2.75% and 5.00% on outstanding letters of credit, both of which were based on the level of the senior debt leverage covenant ratio.
	The outstanding balance under the Revolving Line of Credit at December 31, 2012, excluding letters of credit, was $22.5 million.
	The weighted average interest rate for borrowings under the Revolving Line of Credit facility for the period from January 1, 2013 to the termination date of May 2, 2013 was 3.91%. The weighted average interest rate for borrowings under the Revolving Line of Credit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 3.84% and 3.90%, respectively. The interest rate at December 31, 2012 was 3.75%. Maximum borrowing availability was $43.0 million as of December 31, 2012. The Company had $2.0 million of outstanding standby letters of credit issued under the Revolving Line of Credit as of December 31, 2012. In connection with the consummation of the Revolving Credit Facility, all standby letters of credit were transferred to the Revolving Credit Facility on May 2, 2013.
	The weighted average interest rate for the Term Debt borrowings for the period from January 1, 2013 to the termination date of May 2, 2013 was 3.13%. The weighted average interest rate for the term loan borrowings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 3.47% and 3.33%, respectively. The interest rate at December 31, 2012 was 3.13%. At December 31, 2012 the outstanding balance under the term loan facility was $48.8 million.
	Working Capital Guarantee Credit Agreement
	On June 30, 2011, the Company obtained a separate line of credit with Wells Fargo for up to $10.0 million, pursuant to which Wells Fargo would issue standby letters of credit to certain of the Company’s non-domestic customers for the purpose of assuring the Company’s performance of its obligations to such customers. As of December 31, 2012 the Company had $4.6 million in outstanding standby letters of credit. In connection with the consummation of the Revolving Credit Facility, all standby letters of credit were transferred to the Revolving Credit Facility, and the Working Capital line of credit was discontinued.
	2015 Subordinated Notes and 2016 Subordinated Notes
	On June 30, 2010, the Company issued unsecured subordinated promissory notes (“2015 Subordinated Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $8.5 million to ZM Private Equity Fund II, L.P. and certain of its affiliates at an initial interest rate of 20.0% per annum. No periodic principal or interest payments were required and the 2015 Subordinated Notes were to mature on June 30, 2015. Interest payments were accrued to principal on a quarterly basis. The 2015 Subordinated Notes could be prepaid at any time prior to maturity, at the Company’s option, at the original principal amount plus accrued interest without any prepayment penalties, subject to limitations under the agreement. In connection with the Company’s initial public offering in April of 2012, the interest rate on the 2015 Subordinated Notes was amended from 20.0% per annum to 10.0% per annum. In connection with the Notes offering, all of the 2015 Subordinated Notes were repaid in full on May 2, 2013.
	On June 30, 2011, in connection with an amendment to the credit agreement, the Company issued an additional $10.0 million of unsecured subordinated promissory notes (“2016 Subordinated Notes”) to ZM Private Equity Funds I, L.P and ZM Private Equity Fund II, L.P. (together with ZM EAC LLC, the “ZM Funds”), at an initial interest rate of 20.0% per annum. No periodic principal or interest payments were required and the 2016 Subordinated Notes were to mature on June 30, 2016. Additionally, in connection with the Working Capital Guarantee Credit Agreement, the Company issued $1.0 million in additional 2016 Subordinated Notes to the ZM Funds. In connection with the Company’s initial public offering in April of 2012, the interest rate on the 2016 Subordinated Notes was amended from 20.0% per annum to 10.0% per annum. In connection with the Notes offering, all of the 2016 Subordinated Notes were repaid in full on May 2, 2013.
	The weighted average interest rate for the 2015 and 2016 Subordinated Notes for the period from January 1, 2013 to the termination date of May 2, 2013 was 10.0%. The weighted average interest rate for the 2015 and 2016 Subordinated Notes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 10.0% and 13.9%, respectively. For the 2015 and 2016 Subordinated Notes, the interest rate was 10.0% and the balance was $26.7 million at December 31, 2012.
	Advance from Cambiano
	On July 29, 2008, EuAC entered into an Agreement with Banca Di Credito Cooperativo Di Cambiano (“Cambiano”) whereby EuAC may request advances up to €6.0 million. On July 29, 2013, EuAC entered into an Amended Agreement which reduced the available advances from €6.0 million to €4.0 million. Advances are based on documentary proof of receivables due from the Italian government. The purpose of this Agreement is to provide short term liquidity needs. There were no advances outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and $2.0 million (€1.5 million) of advances outstanding as of December 31, 2012 under this arrangement included within accrued liabilities. The agreement may be canceled by either party at any time.
	On August 4, 2008, EuAC executed a bank guarantee and pledged €3.0 million as restricted cash in connection with a performance guarantee for a four-year leasing contract in Italy. Following receipt of the restricted cash, Cambiano issued a letter of credit for the performance bond. In the third quarter of 2012, the restricted cash amount was reduced to $2.6 million (€2.0 million), in conjunction with the reduction in the corresponding letter of credit. The restrictions renewed in June 2013 through the remainder of the 2013 fire season and the Company has classified the restricted cash related to the pledges as current assets based on the anticipated release date of the restriction.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Note 9. Income Taxes
	The Company’s effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was 38.8% and 38.2%, respectively. The Company’s effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was 37.5% and 38.1%, respectively. The Company’s effective income tax rate is affected by recurring items, such as tax rates in foreign jurisdictions and the relative amount of income it earns in those jurisdictions. It is also affected by discrete items that may occur in any given period.
	In accounting for income taxes, the Company recognizes deferred tax assets if realization of such assets is more likely than not. The Company believes, based on factors including, but not limited to, the ability to generate future taxable income from reversing taxable temporary differences and forecasts of financial and taxable income or loss by jurisdiction, that as of September 30, 2013 it is more likely than not that the Company will realize all of its deferred tax assets, including its net operating loss carry forwards and tax credits. The Company’s utilization of net operating loss carryforwards and credit may be subject to annual limitations due to ownership change provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section 382.
	On May 2, 2013, the Company acquired EHI and the Company intends to make a 338(h)(10) election to treat the acquisition as an asset purchase. EHI’s assumed liabilities upon acquisition included $11.0 million in uncertain tax positions, $2.8 million of related accrued tax penalties, and $5.8 million of related accrued interest. Aside from EHI’s uncertain tax positions accrual assumed upon acquisition, as of September 30, 2013, there have been no material changes to the Company’s uncertain tax position disclosure at December 31, 2012 included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2013.
	As of September 30, 2013, primarily due to the acquisition of EHI, long term liabilities included unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions of $18.3 million, related accrued interest of $6.7 million, and related accrued penalties of $4.3 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded $0.5 million of income tax expense related to uncertain tax positions, $0.6 million of interest expense related to these tax contingencies and $0.3 million of expense for associated penalties. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded $1.3 million of income tax expense related to uncertain tax positions, $0.9 million of interest expense related to these tax contingencies and $0.7 million of expense for associated penalties.
	The Company does not believe it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months because the Company does not believe the remaining open issues will be resolved within the next 12 months. It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in other income (expense).
	On September 3, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of Air Amazonia and the Company intends to make a 338(g) election for Air Amazonia. The Company intends to record goodwill for Brazil income tax purposes for the amount paid in excess of the net equity of Air Amazonia, which may result in the generation of an amortizable premium or a step-up in the tax bases of otherwise depreciable or amortizable assets.
	The Company is currently under tax examination in Italy for the financial year 2010. The tax authority completed its examination on October 7, 2013 and subsequently issued proposed adjustments. The proposed adjustments are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
	The Greek tax authorities are currently conducting a permanent establishment examination of the Company for the Company’s financial years 2010 and 2011. As of September 30, 2013, unrecognized tax benefits include all material uncertain tax positions associated with the examination. The Company is not under examination by tax authorities in any other jurisdictions.

Authorized_Capital_Stock

Authorized Capital Stock	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Authorized Capital Stock	'
	Note 10. Authorized Capital Stock
	On May 2, 2013, the Company purchased 100% of the outstanding share capital of EHI from EIA for consideration that included 4,008,439 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The Series A Preferred Stock converted according to its terms, at the Company’s option, into an equal number of shares of the Company’s common stock, on August 20, 2013, following the Company obtaining stockholder approval of the issuance of shares of its common stock upon such conversion under Nasdaq Marketplace Rules.
	In April 2012, the Company completed its initial public offering of common stock. In connection with the initial public offering, the Company amended its certificate of incorporation to authorize the Company to issue up to 110,000,000 shares of common stock and up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Upon the closing of the initial public offering, all outstanding shares of Redeemable Preferred Stock and all outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock automatically converted into an aggregate of 4,802,970 shares of the Company’s common stock.
	The Board of Directors is authorized, at any time, to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock, in one or more series with such designations, preferences and rights, and such qualifications, limitations and restrictions, as shall be set forth in the resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issuance thereof.

Reportable_Segments

Reportable Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Reportable Segments	'
	Note 11. Reportable Segments
	The Company reports segment information based on the “management” approach. The management approach designates the internal reporting used by management for making decisions and assessing performance as the source of the Company’s reportable segments. Prior to May 2, 2013, the Company’s reportable operating segments were Aerial services, which consisted of firefighting, timber harvesting, infrastructure construction, and crewing, and Manufacturing/MRO, which consisted of aftermarket support and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (“MRO”) services for the Aircrane and other aircraft and the remanufacture of Aircranes and related components. On May 2, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of EHI. As a result of the acquisition, the Company established new reportable operating segments to assess performance by type of customer, Government and Commercial. Segment data for prior periods has been reclassified to reflect the establishment of the Government and Commercial segments. The Government segment includes firefighting, defense and security, and transportation and other operating segments, as these lines of business are primarily contracted with government customers. The Commercial segment includes both logging and construction operating segments, as these lines of business are primarily contracted with commercial customers.
	The Company deploys its fleet of aircraft to maximize fleet utilization. When making fleet resource allocation decisions, the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) primarily considers aircraft type required, route economics, and the financial impact of the resource allocation decision on an individual customer basis. Because the fleet and related resources are used interchangeably between reportable operating segments, the Company does not generate for the CODM’s use an allocation of fleet and fleet support assets including aircraft, net, aircraft support parts, net, and property, plant, and equipment, net, across the reportable operating segments.
	The Company’s CODM, management team and board of directors evaluate the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on net sales and gross profit. Gross profit for each segment includes net sales to third parties and related cost of sales directly attributable to the segment. Gross profit for each segment excludes costs shared by the segments but not allocated to the segments for the use of the CODM and excludes costs not directly attributable to the segments. Costs excluded from segment gross profit are primarily fixed or semi-fixed in nature and include salaries and benefits of pilots and field mechanics, depreciation and amortization costs related to aircraft, aircraft lease costs, aircraft insurance, and other similar type costs. The Company includes intercompany transfers between segments for management reporting purposes. The accounting policies used to prepare and review the Company’s reportable operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2013.
	Government. The Company’s Government revenue is derived primarily from contracts with various governments who use its services for firefighting, defense and security, and transportation and other government-related activities. Many of the Company’s contracts for Government services are multi-year and provide the majority of its current revenue backlog.
		•		Firefighting Contracts. The Company generally charges a daily standby fee for the contract period with an additional rate for hours flown; some contracts include a minimum number of hours to be flown before the hourly rate is charged. The Company has both domestic and international contracts, which may be exclusive-use or call-when-needed in nature. Exclusive-use contracts denote that the Company is obligated to provide, and its customers are obligated to take and pay for, the use of the Company’s services. Call-when-needed contracts are contracts with pre-negotiated terms under which the Company may elect to provide services if requested.
		•		Defense and Security. The Company generally charges a daily standby fee for the contract period with an additional rate for hours flown; some contracts include a minimum number of hours to be flown before the hourly rate is charged. The Company has both domestic and international contracts, but the majority of its defense and security-related work is performed outside of the U.S.
		•		Transportation and Other Government-Related Activities. This line of business captures several types of government services including transportation of items for various government entities that are not defense or security related, crewing and cost per hour (“CPH”) services for government customers, as well as other government-related services. Crewing services are typically for customers who have purchased an Aircrane but lack trained or certified operating personnel-related to the Aircrane. The Company offers pilots and field maintenance crews as part of its crewing services. For government customers who desire better predictability and stability in their aircraft operating costs, the Company offers CPH contracts in which it provides major components and rotable parts at a fixed cost per flight hour.
	Commercial. The Company’s Commercial revenue is derived primarily from timber harvesting, infrastructure construction, and manufacturing/ MRO.
		•		Timber Harvesting Contracts. The Company generally operates on either an hourly rate structure or a per cubic meter of high grade timber delivered basis. The Company serves a variety of customers in North America and Asia.
		•		Infrastructure Construction Contracts. The Company’s infrastructure construction operations vary from short-term construction jobs (generally one to five days in duration) to longer-term jobs (several months or years in duration) within the oil and gas, construction, energy transmission, and energy generation industries.
		•		MRO, Component Part Sale, and Other. The Company has an ongoing revenue stream from customers who own or operate either Aircranes or the military version CH-54s, or other aircraft and require parts support for their helicopters. Further, the Company provides services to customers who own or operate Aircranes, CH-54s, or other aircraft and need their aircraft components repaired or overhauled by a certified facility. The Company is also pursuing aftermarket opportunities to manufacture and sell parts or provide maintenance, repair, or overhaul for other aircraft components.
	In the Company’s Central Point, Oregon facility it has the capability to remanufacture Aircranes on existing S-64 and CH-54 airframes for either resale or to induct into the Company’s fleet, and this remains a core business competency. Customers who identify a year-round or otherwise critical application for an Aircrane may find it advantageous to own an Aircrane rather than leasing the Company’s fleet services. The Company has sold nine Aircranes since 2002 and subsequently re-purchased one of these Aircranes in 2012. While the Company continues to pursue Aircranes sales and will make sales strategically when opportunities arise, it does not rely on Aircrane sales as an essential part of its business planning.
	The following table sets forth information about the Company’s operations by its two reportable segments. Amounts identified as “Corporate” are assets or expenses that are not directly attributable to a specific segment:
	Revenue by Reportable Segment (in thousands):
			Three Months			Three Months			Nine Months			Nine Months
			Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended
			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net revenues:
	Government		$	92,908		$	57,628		$	154,370		$	88,152
	Commercial			27,318			18,633			71,386			53,595
			$	120,226		$	76,261		$	225,756		$	141,747
	Gross Profit by Reportable Segment (in thousands):
			Three Months			Three Months			Nine Months			Nine Months
			Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended
			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Gross Profit:
	Government		$	63,272		$	36,995		$	102,603		$	53,616
	Commercial			14,804			9,992			39,814			29,448
	Non-allocated costs(1)			(31,891	)		(10,445	)		(69,469	)		(32,162	)
			$	46,185		$	36,542		$	72,948		$	50,902
	-1	Non-allocated costs include costs that are shared by both of the reporting segments but are not allocated to the operating segments for the use of the CODM and expenses that are not directly attributable to the operating segments.
	Assets by Reportable Segment (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Assets:
	Government		$	49,874		$	16,573
	Commercial			14,875			14,929
	Corporate(1)			347,252			24,103
	Fixed assets (2)			341,403			201,218
	Total assets		$	753,404		$	256,823
	-1	Corporate assets are comprised primarily of cash, prepaid and other current assets, intangible assets, net, goodwill and deferred tax assets.
	-2	Fixed assets are comprised of the aircraft fleet and fleet support assets including aircraft, net, aircraft support parts, net, and property, plant, and equipment, net. Property, plant, and equipment, net are primarily used to support the aircraft fleet, with minimal amounts allocated to the corporate function.
	A reconciliation of the Company’s segment gross profit to operating income(loss) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
			Three Months			Three Months			Nine Months			Nine Months
			Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended
			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Reconciliation to operating income (loss):
	Government gross profit		$	63,272		$	36,995		$	102,603		$	53,616
	Commercial gross profit			14,804			9,992			39,814			29,448
	Non-allocated costs of revenue(1)			(31,891	)		(10,445	)		(69,469	)		(32,162	)
	Operating expenses, net(2)			(12,903	)		(6,065	)		(35,109	)		(19,007	)
	Total operating income (loss)		$	33,282		$	30,477		$	37,839		$	31,895
	-1	Non-allocated costs include costs that are shared by both of the reporting segments but are not allocated to the operating segments for the use of the CODM and expenses that are not directly attributable to the operating segments.
	-2	Other corporate expenses include research and development, corporate sales and marketing expenses, stock-based compensation expense, income taxes, various nonrecurring charges, and other separately managed general and administrative costs.
	Revenue by Geographic Area (in thousands):
			Three Months			Three Months			Nine Months			Nine Months
			Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended
			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
Net revenues:
North America		$	63,941		$	49,493		$	105,801		$	82,282
Middle East			25,308			—			41,012			—
Europe			9,425			20,710			19,558			33,839
Asia			9,379			2,358			16,927			7,553
South America			4,632			3,700			15,670			10,419
Africa			7,541			—			12,185			—
Australia			—			—			14,603			7,654
Total net revenues		$	120,226		$	76,261		$	225,756		$	141,747
For each operating segment, revenues are attributed to geographic area based on the country where the services were performed; for the Manufacturing / MRO line of business within the Commercial reportable segment, revenues are attributed to geographic area based on the country in which the customer is located.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies
	Environmental Remediation Matters
	The Company is continuing to participate in remediating environmental damage resulting from the identification of hazardous substances at its Central Point, Oregon facility. Under the Asset Purchase Agreement with Erickson Group, Ltd. (“Erickson Group”), a previous owner of the Company, Erickson Group agreed to bear the financial responsibility for the payment of the first $1.5 million of the cleanup costs. Erickson Group and the Company shall each bear one-half of the financial responsibility for the payment of the next $1.0 million of cleanup costs, and any aggregate costs in excess of $2.5 million will be the sole responsibility of Erickson Group. Erickson Group is responsible for directing and controlling the remediation efforts. Since 2000, the Company has paid $0.4 million to Erickson Group for a portion of its exposure on the $0.5 million layer of financial responsibility and has recorded a liability for the remaining $0.1 million exposure on its remaining share. Environmental consultants indicate that the Central Point site may require monitoring for another 20 years; therefore, the Company believes the full amount of its financial share will ultimately be paid.
	Legal Proceedings
	ST Aerospace Matter
	ST Aerospace Services, Co. (“ST Aerospace”), a judgment creditor of EIA, served a Writ of Garnishment on the Company on April 11, 2013 in connection with a judgment entered against EIA in favor of ST Aerospace, in the amount of approximately $3.6 million, also the amount of the garnishment. EIA is the former parent company of EHI. The Company responded that, at the time of its receipt of the Writ of Garnishment on April 11, 2013, the Company did not owe any money or property to EIA. ST Aerospace has since filed an Order for Appearance and requested discovery. A hearing concerning this matter was held in September, 2013. The Company believes it has a strong position in this matter and has not accrued an amount for the related contingent liability.
	EHI was party to the following legal proceedings at the date of acquisition. Under and subject to the terms and conditions of the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated March 18, 2013, as amended on May 1, 2013 by the First Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement, by and among the Company, EIA and the other parties named therein (the “SPA”), the Seller, EIA, is contractually obligated to defend these matters on the Company’s behalf and to indemnify the Company for any liabilities that may result from the claims. The Company believes it has a strong position in these matters and has not accrued an amount for the related contingent liabilities.
	Priority 1 Matter
	In November 2012, Priority 1 Air Rescue Services, Inc., or Priority 1, brought breach of contract claims against EHI in Multnomah County (Oregon) Circuit Court related to two subcontracts between Priority 1 and EHI. The primary contracts were between EHI and the U.S. Government for air medical evacuation, fire suppression, and other related services in Hawaii and Alaska. Priority 1 alleges that EHI failed to pay invoices for work performed in the amount of approximately $0.7 million. Priority 1 also claims an additional amount for consequential damages and interest. The total amount claimed by Priority 1 is approximately $2.0 million. EHI answered the complaint in December 2012, and denied all allegations. Discovery is currently ongoing.
	Fortis Matter
	A complaint was served on EHI on August 27, 2012 by the plaintiff, Fortis Lease Deutschland GmbH, in the Regional Court, 7th Chamber for Commercial Matters, Cologne, Germany. The plaintiff claims approximately €0.8 million in damages for the payment of VAT levied on the purchase price relating to EHI’s purchase of two helicopters from the plaintiff in 2011. The complaint lodged by plaintiff resulted in a default judgment against EHI issued on February 26, 2013. In a brief filed with the court on May 10, 2013, EHI objected to the default judgment, arguing that the sale of the two helicopters was tax exempt as they both were exported to a third country outside the European Union. The oral hearing in this case is scheduled for November 26, 2013.
	Arizona Environmental Matter
	In August 2012, EHI received a request for information from the State of Arizona regarding the Broadway-Pantano Site in Tucson, Arizona, which is comprised of two landfills at which the State has been conducting soil and groundwater investigations and cleanups. In addition, EHI has been served with various petitions to perpetuate testimony regarding the State of Arizona’s investigation into contamination at the Site. According to these documents, the State has identified approximately 101 parties that are potentially responsible for the contamination. Based on the information request and the petition to perpetuate testimony, it is possible that the State of Arizona or other liable parties may assert that EHI is liable for the alleged contamination at the Site.
	The Company is subject to ongoing litigation and claims as part of its normal business operations. In the opinion of management, none of these claims will have a material adverse effect on the Company.
	Stockholder Action
	In August 2013, a putative stockholder of the Company filed a class and derivative action in the Court of Chancery for the State of Delaware against the Company, the members of its board of directors, EAC Acq., and the ZM Funds and certain of their affiliates. The plaintiff asserted claims for breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment in connection with the EHI acquisition and requested an award of unspecified monetary damages to them and to the Company, disgorgement and restitution, certain other equitable relief, and an award of plaintiff’s costs and disbursements, including legal fees. Although the Company is unable to predict the final outcome of the proceeding, the Company believes the allegations lack merit, intends to vigorously defend against them, and believes that the final results will not have a material effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Note 13. Related Party Transactions
	2015 Subordinated Notes and 2016 Subordinated Notes
	The Company was party to a Second Lien Credit Agreement pursuant to which the Company borrowed $20.0 million (the “Second Lien Debt”). Lenders of Second Lien Debt to the Company included the ZM Funds, which are affiliates of the Company through common ownership.
	On June 30, 2010, concurrent with the refinancing of the Company’s senior debt, the Company used proceeds from the senior secured asset-based revolving credit facilities to partially pay-down $11.5 million of its $20.0 million Second Lien Debt to one of the ZM Funds and certain of its affiliates. The remaining $8.5 million was exchanged for 2015 Subordinated Notes at a rate of 20.0% per annum, which was payable in kind by increasing the principal amount of such notes and payable quarterly.
	No periodic principal or interest payments were required and the 2015 Subordinated Notes were to mature on June 30, 2015. In connection with the initial public offering in April of 2012, the interest rate on the 2015 Subordinated Notes was amended from 20.0% per annum to 10.0% per annum. In connection with the Notes offering consummated on May 2, 2013, all of the 2015 Subordinated Notes were repaid in full.
	On June 30, 2011, in connection with an amendment to the Company’s credit agreement at the time, an additional $10.0 million of 2016 Subordinated Notes were issued to two of the ZM Funds at a rate of 20.0% per annum, which was payable in kind by increasing the principal amount of such notes and payable quarterly. No periodic principal or interest payments are required and the 2016 Subordinated Notes were to mature on June 30, 2016. Additionally, in connection with the Working Capital Guarantee Credit Agreement, the Company issued $1.0 million in additional 2016 Subordinated Notes to two of the ZM Funds at a rate of 20.0% per annum, which was payable in kind by increasing the principal amount of such notes and payable quarterly. In connection with the initial public offering in April of 2012, the interest rate on the 2016 Subordinated Notes was amended from 20.0% per annum to 10.0% per annum. In connection with the Notes offering consummated on May 2, 2013, all of the 2016 Subordinated Notes were repaid in full.
	Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. (“EHI”) Acquisition
	In connection with the Company’s acquisition of EHI, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement (the “Second Lien SPA”) with all of the second lien lenders of EIA, including two of the ZM Funds and certain of their affiliates, pursuant to which the Company would issue 3,375,527 shares of its Series A Preferred Stock to EIA’s second lien lenders. To facilitate the Company’s acquisition of EHI, the second lien lenders, including two of the ZM Funds and certain of their affiliates, executed certain waivers and consents pursuant to the EIA’s amended and restated second lien credit agreement and certain related agreements (the “EIA Second Lien Credit Facility”) with Wilmington Trust FSB and certain lenders listed therein, including two of the ZM Funds and certain of their affiliates.
	The EIA Second Lien Credit Facility provided a loan facility of up to $100.0 million, with loans bearing interest at an annual rate of 11.0% plus the greater of (a) the prime rate and (b) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5%; provided that in no event shall the rate be lower than 5.0%, or for Eurodollar borrowing 12.0% plus LIBOR (with a 3.0% floor) plus statutory reserves, and loans were entitled to certain annual payments in kind. The EIA Second Lien Credit Facility was secured by a second lien security interest in substantially all of EIA’s and EHI’s assets, certain guarantees and other collateral. The loans under the EIA Second Lien Credit Facility were to mature on September 30, 2015. The EIA Second Lien Credit Facility provided that certain assets sales by EIA, including the Company’s acquisition of EHI, required that all loans be repaid in full and loan availability be permanently reduced to zero.
	In connection with the EHI acquisition, which was funded with a portion of the proceeds from the Notes offering (See “Note 8 — Debt”), two of the ZM Funds and certain of their affiliates received 1,689,155 shares of Series A Preferred Stock as repayment of $20.0 million of principal of their pro rata share of the EIA Second Lien Credit Facility. In addition, two of the ZM Funds and certain of their affiliates forgave $2.5 million of their pro rata share of the EIA Second Lien Credit Facility in connection with the EHI acquisition and retained approximately $37.9 million in the EIA Second Lien Credit Facility.
	In addition, the Company issued 632,911 shares of its Series A Preferred Stock to EIA’s first lien lenders in connection with the Company’s acquisition of EHI and certain of those first lien lenders sold their shares to certain of the EIA second lien lenders, including two of the ZM Funds and certain of their affiliates. A total of 1,984,680 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were issued to two of the ZM Funds and certain of their affiliates (including shares that two of the ZM Funds and certain of their affiliates purchased from the EIA first lien lenders).
	Transaction Fee
	In connection with the EHI acquisition, 10th Lane Partners, LLC, an entity controlled by Q&U Investments, LLC and affiliated with Quinn Morgan, one of the Company’s directors, received a fee of $2.5 million from the Company in consideration for services rendered to the Company by 10th Lane Partners, LLC, its affiliates and employees.
	Registration Rights
	The Company is party to an amended and restated registration rights agreement among the Company and the ZM Funds, which are beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Company’s common stock. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, ZM EAC LLC has the right to require that the Company register its shares under the Securities Act for sale to the public. If ZM EAC LLC exercises its demand registration right, ZM Private Equity Fund I, L.P. and ZM Private Equity Fund II, L.P. will have the opportunity to include their shares in the registration. The Company must pay all expenses, except for underwriters’ discounts and commissions, incurred in connection with the exercise of these demand registration rights.
	In addition, the ZM Funds have piggyback registration rights, which mean that they have the right to include their shares in any registration that the Company effects under the Securities Act, other than a registration affected pursuant to an exercise of demand registration rights, subject to specified exceptions. The Company must pay all expenses, except for underwriters’ discounts and commissions, incurred in connection with these piggyback registration rights.
	The Company is unable to estimate the dollar value of registration rights to the holders of these rights. The amount of reimbursable expenses under the registration rights agreement depends on a number of variables, including whether registration rights are exercised incident to a primary offering by the Company, the form on which the Company is eligible to register such a transaction, and whether the Company has a shelf registration in place at the time of any future offering.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	'
	Note 14. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	Periodically, the Company enters into currency forward contracts, which are intended to reduce the impact of future currency fluctuations related to anticipated cash receipts from expected future revenue that is denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars. The change in the valuation of the foreign currency forwards portfolio is recorded within unrecognized or recognized foreign exchange gain (loss) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
	There were no open foreign currency forward contracts as of September 30, 2013. The following presents a summary of open foreign currency forward contracts as of December 31, 2012 (all contracts were obligations for the Company to deliver foreign currency—i.e., short positions) (in thousands):
	Purpose/Maturity	Foreign		Contract		Market		Asset
		Quantity		Value		Value		(Liability)
	December 31, 2012:
	Australia—Aerial operations maturing through March 2013		AUD 6,865	$	6,673	$	7,089	$	(416	)
	In accordance with ASC Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts are measured at fair value within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, defined as a fair value measurement using inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities that are either directly or indirectly observable. Specifically, the contracts are valued using quoted market prices for contracts with similar terms and maturity dates.

Cost_Per_Hour_Reserves

Cost Per Hour Reserves	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Cost Per Hour Reserves	'
	Note 15. Cost Per Hour Reserves
	The Company offers CPH contracts pursuant to which the Company provides major components and rotable parts for a customer’s aircraft at a fixed cost per flight hour. The Company estimates the total covered maintenance costs for the aircraft over the coverage period based on historical trends. The amount of the accrual is estimated on a per flight hour basis and recorded as the hours are flown on the aircraft. The timing of cash paid for repairs and maintenance on the aircraft will impact the balance of the accrual.
	During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, the Company recorded zero and $3.3 million in net CPH expense, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, the Company recorded $0.1 million in net income and $5.2 million in net expense related to CPH contracts, respectively. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company’s CPH liability reserve was $1.1 million and $3.6 million, respectively. The Company’s only remaining CPH contract matured in June 2013. As part of the Company’s short term contract with the Italian Forest Service to provide crewing services for the 2013 fire season, the Italian Forest Service has elected to purchase MRO parts directly from the Company in lieu of utilizing its CPH services.

Variable_Interest_Entity

Variable Interest Entity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Variable Interest Entity	'
	Note 16. Variable Interest Entity
	An entity is generally considered a variable interest entity (a “VIE”) that is subject to consolidation under ASC Topic 810 “Consolidation”, if the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support; or as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack any one of the following characteristics: (a) the power, through voting rights or similar rights, to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; (b) the obligation to absorb expected losses of the entity; or (c) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity.
	European Air-Crane, S.p.A. (“EuAC”) is 49% owned by Erickson Air-Crane, Incorporated (“EAC”); 49% owned by Grupo Inaer (“Inaer” formerly Elilario Italia S.p.A.); and 2% owned by Fiduciaria Centro Nord (“FCN”). EAC provided FCN with the financial means to purchase and transfer the shares of EuAC, in exchange for the patrimonial and administrative rights derived from the shares. These rights include the right to decide whether and how to vote in shareholders’ meetings and the right to decide whether, when and to whom the shares should be transferred and endorsed.
	The Company believes that EuAC is a VIE and that the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE due to its ability to make decisions about the entity’s activities, the exposure to the expected losses of the entity if they occur, and the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity if they occur. As such, the consolidated financial statements include the balances of EuAC.
	At September 30, 2013, EuAC consolidated VIE assets and liabilities were $5.7 million and $3.0 million, respectively. At December 31, 2012, EuAC consolidated VIE assets and liabilities were $8.5 million and $5.8 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of noncontrolling interest relating to the other owners’ stockholdings in EuAC is reflected in stockholders’ equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Seasonality

Seasonality	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Seasonality	'
	Note 17. Seasonality
	The Company’s flight hours are substantially reduced in winter or monsoon seasons. The global deployment of the Company’s helicopters and crews helps to limit the effect of seasonality, but the Company’s operations tend to peak in June through October and to be at a low point in January through April. The Company believes the acquisitions of EHI, which primarily services the Department of Defense, and Air Amazonia, which services an oil and gas related customer in Brazil, will reduce seasonality and further diversify its end market and customer mix.

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share

Earnings (Loss) Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings (Loss) Per Share	'
	Note 18. Earnings (Loss) Per Share
	The Company calculates basic earnings (loss) per share by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Shares issuable upon the satisfaction of certain conditions are considered outstanding and included in the computation of basic earnings (loss) per share. The Company calculates diluted earnings per share by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares are determined by applying the treasury stock method or the if-converted method.
	On May 2, 2013, the Company issued 4,008,439 shares of Series A Preferred Stock in the EHI acquisition. On August 20, 2013, following the Company obtaining stockholder approval of the issuance of shares of its common stock upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series A Preferred Stock converted according to its terms, at the Company’s option, into an equal number of shares of the Company’s common stock.
	The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (net income in thousands):
		Three Months		Three Months		Nine Months		Nine Months
		Ended		Ended		Ended		Ended
		September 30,		September 30,		September 30,		September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	14,525	$	17,556	$	11,356	$	13,384
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding		11,562,465		9,756,478		10,356,507		6,051,346
	Dilutive effect of stock-based awards		28,982		—		16,716		—
	Dilutive effect of Series A Preferred Stock		2,222,067				748,827
	Dilutive weighted average shares outstanding		13,813,514		9,756,478		11,122,050		6,051,346
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	1.26	$	1.8	$	1.1	$	2.21
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	1.05	$	1.8	$	1.02	$	2.21
	Antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from diluted earnings (loss) per share		—		180,095		—		180,095

Stockbased_Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-based Compensation	'
	Note 19. Stock-based Compensation
	In 2012, the Company adopted a Long Term Incentive Plan and reserved for issuance 417,649 shares of its common stock. The goal of the plan is to align the interests of the Company’s eligible participants with the interests of its stockholders by providing long-term incentive compensation opportunities tied to the performance of the Company and its common stock. Because vesting is based on continued employment, these equity based incentives are also intended to attract, retain and motivate key personnel. There were 56,389 shares available for grant under the Long Term Incentive Plan at September 30, 2013. The fair value of restricted stock units is determined based on the quoted closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
	The following table summarizes the Company’s restricted stock unit awards activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
		Restricted Stock Award			Weighted-Average
		Units			Grant Date Fair Value
					Per Unit
	Outstanding unvested at December 31, 2012		158,557		$	7.73
	Granted		12,414			8.4
	Vested restricted stock units		(86,016	)		8.65
	Forfeited		(24,642	)		7.78
	Outstanding unvested at September 30, 2013		60,313			7.56
	During the three month periods ended September 30, 2013, the Company did not grant any restricted stock awards and during the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company granted 103,748 restricted stock awards. The Company recognized approximately $0.3 million and $0.4 million in stock-based compensation expense during the three month periods ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively. During the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, the Company granted 12,414 and 383,085 restricted stock awards, respectively. The Company recognized approximately $0.7 million and $1.7 million in stock-based compensation expense during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to outstanding unvested restricted stock unit awards as of September 30, 2013 is expected to be recognized, over a weighted average period of 1.5 years, as follows (in thousands):
		Unamortized Compensation
		Expense
	2013	$	103
	2014		237
	2015		64
	2016		19
	2017		14
	Thereafter		—
	Total	$	437

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Use of Estimates	'
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts and transactions of all majority owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. In presenting these unaudited consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgments and available information at a point in time. As such, actual results could differ from those estimates. In management’s opinion, the unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of interim results reported.
Basis of Accounting	'
	The results of operations reported for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the entire year or any subsequent interim period.
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and following the guidance of Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X for interim financial statements required to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). As permitted under such rules, certain notes and other financial information normally required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted; however, the unaudited consolidated financial statements do include such notes and financial information sufficient so as to make the interim information presented not misleading. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes as of December 31, 2012 included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2013.
	The balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.
Reclassification	'
	Reclassification has been made to prior period amounts of deferred overhauls from aircraft support parts, net to property, plant, and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to current period presentation. (See “Note 4 — Aircraft Support Parts, net”). Such reclassification had no effect on previously reported consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity or statements of comprehensive income (loss).
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the FASB issued accounting standards update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11 “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists,” to resolve the diversity in practice in the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 for all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Early adoption is permitted and retrospective application is permitted. The Company has not elected early adoption or retrospective application of this ASU and the Company will continue to evaluate the impact adopting this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05 “Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity,” to resolve the diversity in practice about whether Subtopic 810-10, Consolidation—Overall, or Subtopic 830-30, Foreign Currency Matters—Translation of Financial Statements, applies to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business (other than a sale of in substance real estate or conveyance of oil and gas mineral rights) within a foreign entity. The standards update is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. As the Company has not ceased to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business within a foreign entity, the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02 “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” requiring new disclosures for items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), including (1) changes in AOCI balances by component and (2) significant items reclassified out of AOCI. The guidance does not amend any existing requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in the financial statements. The standards update was effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012, to be applied prospectively. As this guidance only requires expanded disclosures, the adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
	In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01 “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities,” to clarify the scope of ASU 2011-11. This ASU would apply to derivatives including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are either offset in accordance with Section 210-20-45 or Section 815-10-45 or are subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The ASU was effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods to be applied retrospectively. As this guidance only requires expanded disclosures, the adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Receivables, Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and believes it has made adequate provisions for potential credit losses. The Company does not generally require collateral on accounts receivable; however, under certain circumstances, the Company may require from its customers a letter of credit, a parent corporation guarantee, or full or partial prepayment prior to performing services. The Company estimates its allowance for doubtful accounts using a specific identification method based on an evaluation of payment history, the customer’s credit situation, and other factors.
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity	'
	An entity is generally considered a variable interest entity (a “VIE”) that is subject to consolidation under ASC Topic 810 “Consolidation”, if the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support; or as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack any one of the following characteristics: (a) the power, through voting rights or similar rights, to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; (b) the obligation to absorb expected losses of the entity; or (c) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity.
Earnings Per Share	'
	The Company calculates basic earnings (loss) per share by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Shares issuable upon the satisfaction of certain conditions are considered outstanding and included in the computation of basic earnings (loss) per share. The Company calculates diluted earnings per share by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares are determined by applying the treasury stock method or the if-converted method.

Accounts_Receivable_and_Allowa1

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accounts Receivable	'
	Accounts receivable consisted of the following (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Trade accounts receivable		$	67,680		$	23,387
	Other receivables			4,408			1,519
	Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts			(742	)		(460	)
			$	71,346		$	24,446
Summary of Customers that Accounted for at Least 10% of Total Current and Non-Current Trade Receivables	'
	The following is a summary of customers that accounted for at least 10% of the total current and non-current trade receivables for the Company as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Fluor			14.1	%		—
	NAMSA(1)			12.8	%		—
	Army Contracting Command—Rock Island			10.5	%		—
	Hellenic Fire Brigade(1)			7.7	%		23.9	%
	Italian Ministry of Civil Protection			—			15.5	%
	Helicorp (Australia)			—			14.9	%
				45.1	%		54.3	%
	-1	On May 23, 2012, the Company entered into a three year agreement with the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (“NAMSA”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to supply aerial firefighting services in Greece for the 2012 to 2014 firefighting seasons. Prior to the agreement with NAMSA, the Company contracted directly with the Hellenic Fire Brigade to provide firefighting services in Greece. At September 30, 2013, the receivable from Hellenic Fire Brigade was classified in other non-current assets due to the long-term nature of obtaining resolution regarding the Company’s permanent establishment status in Greece.
Summary of Customers that Accounted for at Least 10% of Company's Sales	'
	The following is a summary of customers that accounted for at least 10% of the Company’s net revenues in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
			Three Months			Three Months			Nine Months			Nine Months
			Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended
			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	U.S. Forest Service			26.7	%		44.9	%		18	%		32.2	%
	Fluor (1)			14	%		—			12	%		—
	NAMSA (Greece)			6.8	%		13	%		4.4	%		8.4	%
	Italian Ministry of Civil Protection			1.1	%		14.1	%		3.7	%		14.3	%
				48.6	%		72	%		38.1	%		54.9	%
	-1	Fluor was a customer serviced by EHI for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Aircraft_Support_Parts_net_Tab

Aircraft Support Parts, net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Aircraft Support Parts, Net	'
	Aircraft support parts consisted of the following (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Aircraft parts		$	112,804		$	71,331
	Work-in-process(1)			18,030			27,770
	Less: Excess and obsolete reserve			(5,895	)		(6,060	)
	Total		$	124,939		$	93,041
	-1	Work-in-process includes aircraft being remanufactured of zero and $8.5 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Aircraft_and_Property_Plant_an1

Aircraft and Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Aircraft	'
	Aircraft consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Aircraft	$	150,204		$	82,735
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(21,497	)		(16,062	)
		$	128,707		$	66,673
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,
		2013			December 31,
					2012
	Land and land improvements	$	308		$	308
	Buildings		5,736			1,499
	Vehicles and equipment		25,443			22,702
	Deferred overhauls, net (see Note 4)		60,770			36,256
	Construction-in-progress (see Note 4)		15,379			6,821
			107,636			67,586
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(15,710	)		(12,911	)
		$	91,926		$	54,675

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Fair Value of Consideration Transferred	'
	The following table presents the fair value of the consideration transferred (in thousands):
			Consideration
			Transferred
	Cash		$	186,615
	Consideration for nine aircraft purchased from an affiliated entity of EIA			12,971
	Prepayment of aircraft lease expense to an affiliated entity of EIA			6,808
	Prepayment of McMinnville headquarters lease			2,616
	Total cash consideration transferred			209,010
	Series A Preferred Stock			78,044
	Subordinated notes			15,900
	Term loan note receivable			(4,960	)
	Total consideration transferred		$	297,994
Summary of Pro Forma Information Company's Results of Operations	'
	In addition, the pro forma results do not include any anticipated synergies or other expected benefits of the acquisition. Accordingly, the unaudited pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred if the acquisition had been completed at the beginning of the periods presented, nor is it necessarily indicative of future results.
	(in thousands, except share and per share data)		Three Months			Three Months		Nine months		Nine months
			Ended			Ended		Ended		Ended
			September 30,			September 30,		September 30,		September 30,
			2013			2012		2013		2012
	Net revenues		$	120,226		$	127,158	$	286,231	$	294,110
	Net income (loss) attributable to common		$	14,525		$	20,524	$	20,252	$	18,573
	stockholders
	Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders
	Basic		$	1.05		$	1.49	$	1.47	$	1.85
	Diluted		$	1.05		$	1.49	$	1.47	$	1.85
	Weighted average shares outstanding
	Basic(1)			13,784,537			13,764,917		13,762,947		10,059,785
	Diluted(1)			13,813,519			13,764,917		13,779,663		10,059,785
	-1	Weighted average shares outstanding for the purposes of the above pro forma calculation assume the 4,008,439 shares of Series A Preferred Stock converted into the same number of shares of common stock at the beginning of the periods presented.
Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member]	'
Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The Company is in the process of finalizing the purchase accounting related to the acquisition, including the working capital adjustment under the purchase agreement; thus, the estimated amounts presented herein are subject to change:
	(in thousands)		May 2, 2013
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	140
	Accounts receivables			25,134
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets			2,036
	Aircraft support parts			20,380
	Aircraft, net			23,291
	Property, plant and equipment			35,413
	Goodwill(1)			248,466
	Other intangible assets			19,700
	Other non-current assets			5,005
	Accounts payable			(39,634	)
	Accrued liabilities			(22,358	)
	Uncertain tax positions			(11,030	)
	Other long-term liabilities			(8,549	)
	Total purchase price		$	297,994
	-1	EHI has certain Federal Aviation Administration certificates (“FAA Certificates”) and Department of Defense Commercial Airlift Review Board designations (“DOD CARB”). EHI had accumulated FAA Certificates and DOD CARB through its 50 years of operating history and it would require a significant amount of resources and time for an independent party to recreate these intangible assets. FAA Certificates and DOD CARB are designated to specific aircraft and cannot be transferred or purchased separately and are considered a part of goodwill.

Accrued_and_Other_Current_Liab1

Accrued and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accrued and Other Current Liabilities	'
	Accrued and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Deferred maintenance on aircraft (see Note 6)	$	13,824	$	—
	Compensation and benefits, including taxes		11,335		6,630
	Interest		12,371		1,099
	Deferred revenue		1,741		1,242
	Advance from Cambiano (see Note 8)		—		2,025
	Cost per hour (see Note 15)		1,087		3,569
	Other		9,786		5,097
	Total	$	50,144	$	19,662

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Total Outstanding Debt	'
	Outstanding debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Notes	$	355,000	$	—
	Revolving Credit Facility		54,513		—
	2020 subordinated notes		16,060		—
	Term debt		—		48,750
	Revolving line of credit		—		22,452
	2015 and 2016 subordinated notes		—		26,674
		$	425,573	$	97,876

Reportable_Segments_Tables

Reportable Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Revenue by Reportable Segment	'
	Revenue by Reportable Segment (in thousands):
			Three Months			Three Months			Nine Months			Nine Months
			Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended
			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net revenues:
	Government		$	92,908		$	57,628		$	154,370		$	88,152
	Commercial			27,318			18,633			71,386			53,595
			$	120,226		$	76,261		$	225,756		$	141,747
Schedule of Gross Profit by Reportable Segment	'
	Gross Profit by Reportable Segment (in thousands):
			Three Months			Three Months			Nine Months			Nine Months
			Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended
			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Gross Profit:
	Government		$	63,272		$	36,995		$	102,603		$	53,616
	Commercial			14,804			9,992			39,814			29,448
	Non-allocated costs(1)			(31,891	)		(10,445	)		(69,469	)		(32,162	)
			$	46,185		$	36,542		$	72,948		$	50,902
	-1	Non-allocated costs include costs that are shared by both of the reporting segments but are not allocated to the operating segments for the use of the CODM and expenses that are not directly attributable to the operating segments.
Schedule of Assets by Reportable Segment	'
	Assets by Reportable Segment (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Assets:
	Government		$	49,874		$	16,573
	Commercial			14,875			14,929
	Corporate(1)			347,252			24,103
	Fixed assets(2)			341,403			201,218
	Total assets		$	753,404		$	256,823
	-1	Corporate assets are comprised primarily of cash, prepaid and other current assets, intangible assets, net, goodwill and deferred tax assets.
	-2	Fixed assets are comprised of the aircraft fleet and fleet support assets including aircraft, net, aircraft support parts, net, and property, plant, and equipment, net. Property, plant, and equipment, net are primarily used to support the aircraft fleet, with minimal amounts allocated to the corporate function.
Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income (Loss)	'
	A reconciliation of the Company’s segment gross profit to operating income(loss) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
			Three Months			Three Months			Nine Months			Nine Months
			Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended
			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Reconciliation to operating income (loss):
	Government gross profit		$	63,272		$	36,995		$	102,603		$	53,616
	Commercial gross profit			14,804			9,992			39,814			29,448
	Non-allocated costs of revenue(1)			(31,891	)		(10,445	)		(69,469	)		(32,162	)
	Operating expenses, net(2)			(12,903	)		(6,065	)		(35,109	)		(19,007	)
	Total operating income (loss)		$	33,282		$	30,477		$	37,839		$	31,895
	-1	Non-allocated costs include costs that are shared by both of the reporting segments but are not allocated to the operating segments for the use of the CODM and expenses that are not directly attributable to the operating segments.
	-2	Other corporate expenses include research and development, corporate sales and marketing expenses, stock-based compensation expense, income taxes, various nonrecurring charges, and other separately managed general and administrative costs.
Schedule of Revenue by Geographic Area	'
	Revenue by Geographic Area (in thousands):
			Three Months			Three Months			Nine Months			Nine Months
			Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended
			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net revenues:
	North America		$	63,941		$	49,493		$	105,801		$	82,282
	Middle East			25,308			—			41,012			—
	Europe			9,425			20,710			19,558			33,839
	Asia			9,379			2,358			16,927			7,553
	South America			4,632			3,700			15,670			10,419
	Africa			7,541			—			12,185			—
	Australia			—			—			14,603			7,654
	Total net revenues		$	120,226		$	76,261		$	225,756		$	141,747

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Open Foreign Currency Forward Contracts	'
	The following presents a summary of open foreign currency forward contracts as of December 31, 2012 (all contracts were obligations for the Company to deliver foreign currency—i.e., short positions) (in thousands):
	Purpose/Maturity	Foreign		Contract		Market		Asset
		Quantity		Value		Value		(Liability)
	December 31, 2012:
	Australia—Aerial operations maturing through March 2013		AUD 6,865	$	6,673	$	7,089	$	(416	)

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share	'
	The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (net income in thousands):
		Three Months		Three Months		Nine Months		Nine Months
		Ended		Ended		Ended		Ended
		September 30,		September 30,		September 30,		September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	14,525	$	17,556	$	11,356	$	13,384
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding		11,562,465		9,756,478		10,356,507		6,051,346
	Dilutive effect of stock-based awards		28,982		—		16,716		—
	Dilutive effect of Series A Preferred Stock		2,222,067				748,827
	Dilutive weighted average shares outstanding		13,813,514		9,756,478		11,122,050		6,051,346
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	1.26	$	1.8	$	1.1	$	2.21
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	1.05	$	1.8	$	1.02	$	2.21
	Antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from diluted earnings (loss) per share		—		180,095		—		180,095

Stockbased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Restricted Stock Units Awards Activity	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s restricted stock unit awards activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
		Restricted Stock Award			Weighted-Average
		Units			Grant Date Fair Value
					Per Unit
	Outstanding unvested at December 31, 2012		158,557		$	7.73
	Granted		12,414			8.4
	Vested restricted stock units		(86,016	)		8.65
	Forfeited		(24,642	)		7.78
	Outstanding unvested at September 30, 2013		60,313			7.56
Schedule of Unrecognized Stock-Based Compensation Expense Related to Outstanding Unvested Restricted Stock Unit Awards Expected to be Recognized	'
	Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to outstanding unvested restricted stock unit awards as of September 30, 2013 is expected to be recognized, over a weighted average period of 1.5 years, as follows (in thousands):
		Unamortized Compensation
		Expense
	2013	$	103
	2014		237
	2015		64
	2016		19
	2017		14
	Thereafter		—
	Total	$	437

Description_of_the_Business_Ad

Description of the Business - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

2-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 03, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

2-May-13

2-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Outside of North America [Member]

Heavy Lift Helicopters [Member]

S-64 E Model Aircranes [Member]

S-64 F Model Aircranes [Member]

Medium and Light Lift Aircraft [Member]

Rotor Wing Aircraft [Member]

Rotor Wing Aircraft [Member]

Fixed-Wing Aircraft [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member]

8.25% Second Priority Senior Secured Obligations Due 2020 [Member]

8.25% Second Priority Senior Secured Obligations Due 2020 [Member]

European Air-Crane, S.p.A. [Member]

EACM [Member]

Aircrane

Aircrane

Aircrane

Aircrane

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

SIMA [Member]

Layang-Layang Services Sdn. Bhd. [Member]

Aircrane

Aircrane

Aircrane

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity interest held (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

60.00%

49.00%

Number of aircranes owned

'

'

'

14

20

13

7

36

28

6

8

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of aircranes leased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

34

29

'

5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of aircranes operated

'

'

'

21

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

63

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, face amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$400

'

'

'

Net proceeds from offering

386.4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Escrow account deposit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

46

46

'

'

Notes offering, Aggregate principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

45

45

'

'

Notes offering, Anticipated interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

1

'

'

Principal amount of notes subject to special mandatory redemption

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

45

45

'

'

Percentage of redemption price subject to special mandatory redemption

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

100.00%

'

'

Number of remaining aircraft with right of first refusal to purchase within twelve months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,800,000

4,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares purchased by the existing stockholders

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,050,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share price (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$8

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gross proceeds from the initial public offering

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

38.4

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net proceeds from the initial public offering

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

Underwriting discounts and commissions in connection with initial public offering

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.1

'

'

'

'

'

'

Offering costs in connection with initial public offering

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$4.80

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common shares outstanding

'

13,786,290

9,726,785

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,802,970

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts_Receivable_and_Allowa2

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Schedule of Accounts Receivable (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Trade accounts receivable	$67,680	$23,387
Other receivables	4,408	1,519
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	-742	-460
Accounts receivable	$71,346	$24,446

Accounts_Receivable_and_Allowa3

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
					Accounts Receivable [Member]	Accounts Receivable [Member]
					Credit Concentration Risk [Member]	Credit Concentration Risk [Member]
					Customer	Customer
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Bad debt expense	$0.30	$0.10	$0.50	$0	'	'
Number of customers	'	'	'	'	4	3
Concentration of risks, percentage	'	'	'	'	45.10%	54.30%

Accounts_Receivable_and_Allowa4

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Summary of Customers that Accounted for at Least 10% of Total Current and Non-Current Trade Receivables (Detail) (Accounts Receivable [Member], Credit Concentration Risk [Member])	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration of risks, percentage	45.10%	54.30%
Fluor [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration of risks, percentage	14.10%	'
NAMSA [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration of risks, percentage	12.80%	'
Army Contracting Command-Rock Island [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration of risks, percentage	10.50%	'
Hellenic Fire Brigade [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration of risks, percentage	7.70%	23.90%
Italian Ministry of Civil Protection [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration of risks, percentage	'	15.50%
Helicorp (Australia) [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration of risks, percentage	'	14.90%

Accounts_Receivable_and_Allowa5

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Summary of Customers that Accounted for at Least 10% of Total Current and Non-Current Trade Receivables (Parenthetical) (Detail) (NAMSA (Greece) [Member])	1 Months Ended
	23-May-12
NAMSA (Greece) [Member]	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'
Aerial firefighting service agreement term	'3 years

Accounts_Receivable_and_Allowa6

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Summary of Customers that Accounted for at Least 10% of Company's Sales (Detail) (Revenues [Member], Customer Concentration Risk [Member])	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration of risks, percentage	48.60%	72.00%	38.10%	54.90%
U.S. Forest Service [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration of risks, percentage	26.70%	44.90%	18.00%	32.20%
Fluor [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration of risks, percentage	14.00%	'	12.00%	'
NAMSA (Greece) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration of risks, percentage	6.80%	13.00%	4.40%	8.40%
Italian Ministry of Civil Protection [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration of risks, percentage	1.10%	14.10%	3.70%	14.30%

Aircraft_Support_Parts_net_Add

Aircraft Support Parts, net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Aircraft	Aircraft
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Number of Aircrafts being remanufactured	0	1
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	$107,636,000	$67,586,000
Deferred Overhauls, Net [Member]	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	60,770,000	36,256,000
Construction-in-Progress [Member]	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	15,379,000	6,821,000
Scenario Reclassification [Member] | Deferred Overhauls, Net [Member]	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	'	36,300
Scenario Reclassification [Member] | Construction-in-Progress [Member]	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	'	$4,000,000

Aircraft_Support_Parts_net_Sch

Aircraft Support Parts, net - Schedule of Aircraft Support Parts, Net (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'	'
Aircraft parts	$112,804	$71,331
Work-in-process	18,030	27,770
Less: Excess and obsolete reserve	-5,895	-6,060
Total	$124,939	$93,041

Aircraft_Support_Parts_net_Sch1

Aircraft Support Parts, net - Schedule of Aircraft Support Parts, Net (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'	'
Work-in-process includes aircraft	$0	$8.50

Aircraft_and_Property_Plant_an2

Aircraft and Property, Plant and Equipment - Schedule of Aircraft (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Aircraft	$150,204	$82,735
Less: accumulated depreciation	-21,497	-16,062
Aircraft, net	$128,707	$66,673

Aircraft_and_Property_Plant_an3

Aircraft and Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation expense	$4.20	$2.30	$9.90	$6.30
Deferred Overhauls, Net [Member]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization expense	$6.60	$5.40	$14.30	$10.10

Aircraft_and_Property_Plant_an4

Aircraft and Property, Plant and Equipment - Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	$107,636,000	$67,586,000
Less: accumulated depreciation	-15,710,000	-12,911,000
Property, plant, and equipment, net	91,926,000	54,675,000
Land and Land Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	308,000	308,000
Buildings [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	5,736,000	1,499,000
Vehicles and Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	25,443,000	22,702,000
Deferred Overhauls, Net [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	60,770,000	36,256,000
Construction-in-Progress [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	$15,379,000	$6,821,000

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

2-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2010

2-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

2-May-13

2-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

2-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

2-May-13

Sep. 03, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Term Debt [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Affiliated Entity of EIA [Member]

Subordinated Notes [Member]

Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member]

Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member]

Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member]

Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member]

Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member]

Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member]

Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member]

Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member]

Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member]

Air Amazonia [Member]

Air Amazonia [Member]

Air Amazonia [Member]

Aircraft

Aircraft

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

Term Debt [Member]

Customer Relationships [Member]

Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]

Affiliated Entity of EIA [Member]

Subordinated Notes [Member]

Aircraft

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition completion date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2-May-13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3-Sep-13

Equity interest held (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase price of outstanding share capital

'

'

'

'

'

'

$251,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase price in cash

'

'

'

'

'

'

186,615,000

'

186,615,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

23,100,000

'

'

Fair value of non-cash consideration in the form of subordinated notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,500,000

'

'

'

Convertible Cumulative Participating Preferred Stock

4,008,439

4,008,439

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,008,439

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible Cumulative Participating Preferred Stock, value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

47,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible Cumulative Participating Preferred Stock, per share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$11.85

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Series A Preferred Stock, value issued

'

'

'

78,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Series A Preferred Stock, shares issued

'

'

'

4,008,439

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Series A Preferred Stock, per share

'

'

'

$19.47

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated fair value of debt instrument

'

'

'

'

'

15,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

9.00%

'

'

'

'

11.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of aircraft purchased in connection with the acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6

'

'

Consideration for nine aircraft purchased from an affiliated entity of EIA

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,971,000

12,971,000

12,971,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term loan notes

'

'

65,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,150,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term loan notes, fair value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Prepaid remaining future lease obligations

'

'

'

'

6,808,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,808,000

'

'

'

'

Number of aircraft on remaining future lease obligation

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition and integration related expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,700,000

7,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000

1,300,000

Goodwill

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

248,466,000

248,466,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquired customer relationship amortization period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19,300,000

400,000

'

'

'

'

'

Acquired customer relationship amortization period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'9 years

'6 months

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill and intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

268,200,000

268,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,600,000

7,600,000

Acquired goodwill amortization period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'15 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities assumed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19,800,000

19,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional purchase price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

'

'

Acquisition of aircraft

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$20,000,000

$20,000,000

Acquisitions_Schedule_of_Fair_

Acquisitions - Schedule of Fair Value of Consideration Transferred (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	2-May-13	Sep. 30, 2013
Affiliated Entity of EIA [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Prepayment of aircraft lease	'	$6,808
Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Cash	186,615	186,615
Consideration for nine aircraft purchased from an affiliated entity of EIA	12,971	12,971
Total cash consideration transferred	'	209,010
Series A Preferred Stock	'	78,044
Subordinated notes	'	15,900
Term loan note receivable	'	-4,960
Total consideration transferred	'	297,994
Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member] | Affiliated Entity of EIA [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Prepayment of aircraft lease	'	6,808
Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member] | Mc Minnville [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Prepayment of aircraft lease	'	$2,616

Acquisitions_Summary_of_Estima

Acquisitions - Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Detail) (Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member], USD $)	2-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$140
Accounts receivables	25,134
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,036
Aircraft support parts	20,380
Property, plant and equipment	35,413
Goodwill	248,466
Other intangible assets	19,700
Other non-current assets	5,005
Accounts payable	-39,634
Accrued liabilities	-22,358
Uncertain tax positions	-11,030
Other long-term liabilities	-8,549
Total purchase price	297,994
Aircraft [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Property, plant and equipment	$23,291

Acquisitions_Summary_of_Estima1

Acquisitions - Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Parenthetical) (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
FAA certificates and DOD CARB operating history period	'50 years

Acquisitions_Summary_of_Pro_Fo

Acquisitions - Summary of Pro Forma Information Company's Results of Operations (Detail) (Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net revenues	$120,226	$127,158	$286,231	$294,110
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$14,525	$20,524	$20,252	$18,573
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders	'	'	'	'
Basic	$1.05	$1.49	$1.47	$1.85
Diluted	$1.05	$1.49	$1.47	$1.85
Weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'
Basic	13,784,537	13,764,917	13,762,947	10,059,785
Diluted	13,813,519	13,764,917	13,779,663	10,059,785

Acquisitions_Summary_of_Pro_Fo1

Acquisitions - Summary of Pro Forma Information Company's Results of Operations (Parenthetical) (Detail)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	2-May-13	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'	'
Convertible Cumulative Participating Preferred Stock	4,008,439	4,008,439

Accrued_and_Other_Current_Liab2

Accrued and Other Current Liabilities - Schedule of Accrued and Other Current Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred maintenance on aircraft (see Note 6)	$13,824	'
Compensation and benefits, including taxes	11,335	6,630
Interest	12,371	1,099
Deferred revenue	1,741	1,242
Advance from Cambiano (see Note 8)	'	2,025
Cost per hour (see Note 15)	1,087	3,569
Other	9,786	5,097
Total	$50,144	$19,662

Debt_Schedule_of_Total_Outstan

Debt - Schedule of Total Outstanding Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt outstanding	$425,573	$97,876
Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt outstanding	355,000	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt outstanding	54,513	'
2020 Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt outstanding	16,060	'
Term Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt outstanding	'	48,750
Revolving Line of Credit [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt outstanding	'	22,452
2015 and 2016 Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt outstanding	'	$26,674

Debt_Notes_Offering_Additional

Debt - Notes Offering - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	2-May-13	Sep. 30, 2013
			8.25% Second Priority Senior Secured Obligations Due 2020 [Member]	8.25% Second Priority Senior Secured Obligations Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument, face amount	'	'	$400,000,000	'
Interest rate (as a percent)	'	'	8.25%	'
Debt outstanding	425,573,000	97,876,000	'	355,000,000
Escrow account deposit	'	'	46,000,000	46,000,000
Notes offering, Aggregate principal amount	'	'	45,000,000	45,000,000
Notes offering, Anticipated interest	'	'	1,000,000	1,000,000
Principal amount of notes subject to special mandatory redemption	'	'	$45,000,000	$45,000,000
Percentage of redemption price subject to special mandatory redemption	'	'	100.00%	100.00%

Debt_Revolving_Credit_Facility

Debt - Revolving Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

2-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 14, 2013

Jun. 30, 2010

2-May-13

2-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Standby Letters of Credit [Member]

Standby Letters of Credit [Member]

Ratio

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity under credit facilities

'

'

$100,000,000

'

$125,000,000

$67,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument term period

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate on senior credit agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.25%

4.50%

'

'

'

'

Fixed charge coverage ratio, minimum

'

'

1.2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Average excess availability of credit facility

'

'

15,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Average excess availability ratio

'

'

1.05

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Annual growth capital expenditures

'

'

25,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt outstanding

425,573,000

97,876,000

'

54,513,000

'

'

'

'

54,500,000

54,500,000

'

'

Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.34%

5.43%

'

'

Interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.03%

5.03%

'

'

Amount outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,600,000

2,000,000

Maximum borrowing availability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$65,800,000

$43,000,000

Debt_2020_Subordinated_Notes_A

Debt - 2020 Subordinated Notes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	2-May-13	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
			2020 Subordinated Notes [Member]	2020 Subordinated Notes [Member]	2020 Subordinated Notes [Member]
					Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Consideration paid, subordinated notes	'	'	$17,500,000	'	'
Subordinated notes fixed interest rate	'	'	6.00%	'	'
Subordinated notes maturity, years	'	'	2-Nov-20	'	'
Increase in interest rate, until maturity period	'	'	8.00%	'	'
Interest payable due date	'	'	'2015-03-31	'	'
Quarterly payment of principal	'	'	1,000,000	'	'
Notes outstanding	425,573,000	97,876,000	'	16,060,000	17,500,000
Fair value of notes outstanding	'	'	'	'	16,000,000
Unamortized discount on the debt	'	'	'	'	1,500,000
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)	'	'	'	6.00%	'
Estimated fair value of subordinated notes	'	'	'	$15,900,000	'

Debt_Term_Debt_and_Revolving_L

Debt - Term Debt and Revolving Line of Credit - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 14, 2013	2-May-13	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010
	LIBOR [Member]	Base Rate [Member]	Prime Rate [Member]	Federal Funds Rate Plus [Member]	LIBOR Plus [Member]	Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Senior Secured Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facilities [Member]	Term Debt [Member]	8.25% Second Priority Senior Secured Obligations Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity under senior credit facilities	'	'	'	'	'	$125	$100	$67.50	$132.50	'	'
Debt instrument, face amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	65	400
Sublimit available for the issuance of letter of credit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	30	'	'	'
Sublimit available for the issuance of swingline loans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$10	'	'	'
Description of variable rate basis	'LIBOR	'Base rate	'Prime rate as quoted by Wells Fargo	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rate on senior credit facilities, base rate margin	'	'	'	1.50%	1.50%	'	'	'	'	'	'

Debt_Term_Debt_and_Revolving_L1

Debt - Term Debt and Revolving Line of Credit - Additional Information1 (Detail) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

2-May-13

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

2-May-13

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2010

Jun. 30, 2010

Jun. 30, 2010

Jun. 30, 2010

Jun. 30, 2010

Jun. 30, 2010

Revolving Line of Credit [Member]

Term Debt [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Revolving Line of Credit [Member]

Revolving Line of Credit [Member]

Revolving Line of Credit [Member]

Revolving Line of Credit [Member]

Standby Letters of Credit [Member]

Standby Letters of Credit [Member]

Term Debt [Member]

Term Debt [Member]

Term Debt [Member]

Term Debt [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Letters of Credit [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

Letters of Credit [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.75%

1.75%

'

5.00%

4.00%

Unused commitment fee (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.38%

'

'

0.63%

'

'

Debt instrument, fee (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.75%

'

'

5.00%

'

'

Debt outstanding under the revolving line of credit, less letters of credit

'

'

$22,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

3.84%

3.91%

3.90%

'

'

'

3.47%

3.13%

3.33%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.75%

'

'

'

'

'

3.13%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Termination date

'

'

'

'

'

2-May-13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing availability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

65,800,000

43,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,600,000

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt outstanding

$425,573,000

$97,876,000

$22,452,000

$48,750,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_Working_Capital_Guarantee

Debt - Working Capital Guarantee Credit Agreement - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Amendment to the Credit Agreement [Member]	Amendment to the Credit Agreement [Member]	Working Capital Guarantee Credit Agreement [Member]	Working Capital Guarantee Credit Agreement [Member]
	ZM Private Equity Funds I and II, L.P. [Member]	Unsecured Subordinated Promissory Notes [Member]	ZM Private Equity Funds I and II, L.P. [Member]	Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
		ZM Private Equity Funds I and II, L.P. [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument, amount borrowed	'	$10	'	'
Amount outstanding	$10	'	$1	$4.60

Debt_Subordinated_Notes_Additi

Debt - Subordinated Notes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Apr. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2010

Sep. 30, 2012

2-May-13

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2011

ZM Private Equity Funds I and II, L.P. [Member]

ZM Private Equity Funds I and II, L.P. [Member]

2015 Subordinated Notes [Member]

2015 Subordinated Notes [Member]

2016 Subordinated Notes [Member]

2016 Subordinated Notes [Member]

2016 Subordinated Notes [Member]

2016 Subordinated Notes [Member]

2016 Subordinated Notes [Member]

2016 Subordinated Notes [Member]

Working Capital Guarantee Credit Agreement [Member]

Amendment to the Credit Agreement [Member]

ZM Private Equity Fund II, L.P. [Member]

ZM Private Equity Fund II, L.P. [Member]

ZM Private Equity Funds I and II, L.P. [Member]

ZM Private Equity Funds I and II, L.P. [Member]

Working Capital Guarantee Credit Agreement [Member]

Working Capital Guarantee Credit Agreement [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, amount borrowed

$400,000,000

'

'

'

'

$8,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate

'

'

'

20.00%

10.00%

20.00%

'

'

'

10.00%

10.00%

20.00%

Debt instrument, maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

30-Jun-15

'

'

'

'

'

30-Jun-16

Amount outstanding

'

'

1,000,000

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt outstanding

$425,573,000

$97,876,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$26,700,000

'

'

Weighted average interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

10.00%

13.90%

'

'

'

Debt_Advance_from_Cambiano_Add

Debt - Advance from Cambiano - Additional Information (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Aug. 04, 2008	Aug. 04, 2008	Sep. 30, 2013	Jul. 29, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 29, 2008
	USD ($)	USD ($)	EUR (€)	EUR (€)	European Air-Crane, S.p.A. [Member]	European Air-Crane, S.p.A. [Member]	European Air-Crane, S.p.A. [Member]	European Air-Crane, S.p.A. [Member]	European Air-Crane, S.p.A. [Member]	European Air-Crane, S.p.A. [Member]
						USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)	EUR (€)	EUR (€)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum advance from Cambiano	'	'	'	'	'	'	€ 4,000,000	'	'	€ 6,000,000
Advances from Cambiano, outstanding	2,025,000	'	'	'	'	0	'	2,000,000	1,500,000	'
Cash pledged for bank guarantee in connection with a performance guarantee	'	$2,600,000	€ 2,000,000	€ 3,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Term of leasing contract	'	'	'	'	'4 years	'	'	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	2-May-13
					Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member]	Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member]	Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)	38.80%	38.20%	37.50%	38.10%	'	'	'
Uncertain tax positions	'	'	'	'	'	'	$11,000,000
Accrued interest	'	'	'	'	4,300,000	4,300,000	2,800,000
Accrued interest	'	'	'	'	6,700,000	6,700,000	5,800,000
Unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions	'	'	'	'	18,300,000	18,300,000	'
Income tax expense related to tax positions	'	'	'	'	500,000	1,300,000	'
Interest expense related to contingencies	560,000	'	871,000	'	600,000	900,000	'
Interest expense associated penalities	'	'	'	'	$300,000	$700,000	'

Authorized_Capital_Stock_Addit

Authorized Capital Stock - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	2-May-13	2-May-13	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012
			Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]
				Evergreen International Aviation, Inc [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of outstanding share capital purchased	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'
Preferred stock, shares	'	'	4,008,439	'	'	'
Common stock, Authorized shares	110,000,000	110,000,000	'	'	110,000,000	'
Redeemable preferred stock, authorized shares	'	'	'	'	'	10,000,000
Common shares outstanding	13,786,290	9,726,785	'	'	4,802,970	'

Reportable_Segments_Schedule_o

Reportable Segments - Schedule of Revenue by Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net revenues	$120,226	$76,261	$225,756	$141,747
Operating Segments [Member] | Government [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net revenues	92,908	57,628	154,370	88,152
Operating Segments [Member] | Commercial [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net revenues	$27,318	$18,633	$71,386	$53,595

Reportable_Segments_Schedule_o1

Reportable Segments - Schedule of Gross Profit by Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total gross profit	$46,185	$36,542	$72,948	$50,902
Operating Segments [Member] | Government [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total gross profit	63,272	36,995	102,603	53,616
Operating Segments [Member] | Commercial [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total gross profit	14,804	9,992	39,814	29,448
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Non-allocated costs	($31,891)	($10,445)	($69,469)	($32,162)

Reportable_Segments_Schedule_o2

Reportable Segments - Schedule of Assets by Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$753,404	$256,823
Operating Segments [Member] | Government [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	49,874	16,573
Operating Segments [Member] | Commercial [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	14,875	14,929
Operating Segments [Member] | Corporate [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	347,252	24,103
Operating Segments [Member] | Fixed Assets [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$341,403	$201,218

Reportable_Segments_Reconcilia

Reportable Segments - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total operating income (loss)	$33,282	$30,477	$37,839	$31,895
Operating expenses, net	-12,903	-6,065	-35,109	-19,007
Operating Segments [Member] | Government [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total operating income (loss)	63,272	36,995	102,603	53,616
Operating Segments [Member] | Commercial [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total operating income (loss)	14,804	9,992	39,814	29,448
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Non-allocated costs of revenue	-31,891	-10,445	-69,469	-32,162
Operating expenses, net	($12,903)	($6,065)	($35,109)	($19,007)

Reportable_Segments_Schedule_o3

Reportable Segments - Schedule of Revenue by Geographic Area (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net revenues	$120,226	$76,261	$225,756	$141,747
Operating Segments [Member] | North America [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net revenues	63,941	49,493	105,801	82,282
Operating Segments [Member] | Middle East [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net revenues	25,308	'	41,012	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Europe [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net revenues	9,425	20,710	19,558	33,839
Operating Segments [Member] | Asia [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net revenues	9,379	2,358	16,927	7,553
Operating Segments [Member] | South America [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net revenues	4,632	3,700	15,670	10,419
Operating Segments [Member] | Africa [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net revenues	7,541	'	12,185	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Australia [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net revenues	'	'	$14,603	$7,654

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Apr. 11, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 27, 2012	Aug. 27, 2012
	Environmental Remediation Matters [Member]	Aerospace [Member]	Priority 1 [Member]	Fortis [Member]	Arizona [Member]
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	EUR (€)	Parties
			Contracts	Helicopter
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
First portion of cleanup costs to be borne by the former owner	$1.50	'	'	'	'
Second portion of cleanup costs to be shared by the entity and former owner equally	1	'	'	'	'
Cleanup costs, in excess of specified amount, to be borne by the former owner	2.5	'	'	'	'
Loss contingencies, liability paid	0.4	'	'	'	'
Entity's share of financial responsibility	0.5	'	'	'	'
Remaining entity's share of financial responsibility liability	0.1	'	'	'	'
Time frame to monitor the site	'20 years	'	'	'	'
Damages sought value	'	3.6	'	'	'
Number of subcontracts	'	'	2	'	'
Unpaid invoice for work performed	'	'	0.7	'	'
Total amount claimed	'	'	2	'	'
Amount of damages for the payment of VAT levied	'	'	'	€ 0.80	'
Number of helicopters purchased from plaintiff	'	'	'	2	'
Number of parties responsible for contamination	'	'	'	'	101

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

2-May-13

Jun. 30, 2010

Jun. 30, 2010

Jun. 30, 2011

Apr. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2010

Apr. 30, 2012

Jun. 23, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

2016 Subordinated Notes [Member]

ZM Funds [Member]

ZM Funds [Member]

ZM Funds [Member]

ZM Funds [Member]

ZM Funds [Member]

ZM Funds [Member]

ZM Funds [Member]

ZM Funds [Member]

EIA Second Lien Credit Facility [Member]

EIA's Second Lien Lenders [Member]

EIA's First Lien Lenders [Member]

Subordinated Notes [Member]

Subordinated Notes [Member]

Unsecured Subordinated Promissory Notes [Member]

Unsecured Subordinated Promissory Notes [Member]

2015 Subordinated Notes [Member]

2015 Subordinated Notes [Member]

2016 Subordinated Notes [Member]

2016 Subordinated Notes [Member]

Amendment to the Credit Agreement [Member]

Working Capital Guarantee Credit Agreement [Member]

Working Capital Guarantee Credit Agreement [Member]

Related Party Transaction [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayment of debt instrument

'

$45,000,000

'

$45,000,000

'

$8,500,000

$11,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, amount outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument exchanged

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate

'

'

'

'

10.00%

'

'

20.00%

20.00%

10.00%

20.00%

10.00%

20.00%

'

'

'

Debt instrument, amount borrowed

'

'

'

400,000,000

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

'

'

'

1,000,000

'

'

'

Issuance of shares under purchase agreement

1,984,680

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,375,527

632,911

Loan facility borrowing amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

Loan facility, interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11.00%

'

'

Percentage of variable rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

Loan facility, minimum effective interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.00%

'

'

LIBOR interest rate plus

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12.00%

'

'

LIBOR interest rate floor percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.00%

'

'

Line of credit facility, maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30-Sep-15

'

'

Loan availability under credit facility after repayment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Number of shares received by affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,689,155

'

'

Related party transaction, Amount of transaction

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,000,000

'

'

Forgiveness on pro rata share of affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500,000

'

'

Credit facility retained

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,900,000

'

'

Payments made to related parties

'

'

$2,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of beneficial owners of company's common stock

'

'

'

5.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Summary of Open Foreign Currency Forward Contracts (Detail) (Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member], Australia [Member], Aerial Services [Member])	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	USD ($)	AUD
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Contract Value	$6,673	6,865
Market Value	7,089	'
Asset (Liability)	($416)	'

Cost_Per_Hour_Reserves_Additio

Cost Per Hour Reserves - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Guarantees [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Net CPH income	'	'	$0.10	'	'
Net CPH expense	0	3.3	'	5.2	'
CPH liability reserve	$1.10	'	$1.10	'	$3.60
CPH contract maturity date	'	'	'June 2013	'	'

Variable_Interest_Entity_Addit

Variable Interest Entity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
			European Air-Crane, S.p.A. [Member]	Inaer Formerly Elilario Italia S.p.A. [Member]	FCN [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Variable interest entity, ownership interest percentage	'	'	49.00%	'	'
Ownership interest percentage by noncontrolling owners	'	'	'	49.00%	2.00%
VIE assets	$5,700,000	$8,500,000	'	'	'
VIE liabilities	3,000,000	5,800,000	'	'	'
Non-controlling interest	$1,050,000	$1,016,000	'	'	'

Earning_Loss_Per_Share_Additio

Earning (Loss) Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	2-May-13	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'
Series A Preferred Stock	4,008,439	4,008,439

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share_Schedu

Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$14,525	$17,556	$11,356	$13,384
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	11,562,465	9,756,478	10,356,507	6,051,346
Dilutive effect of stock-based awards	28,982	'	16,716	'
Dilutive effect of Series A Preferred Stock	2,222,067	'	748,827	'
Dilutive weighted average shares outstanding	13,813,514	9,756,478	11,122,050	6,051,346
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$1.26	$1.80	$1.10	$2.21
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$1.05	$1.80	$1.02	$2.21
Antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from diluted earnings (loss) per share	'	180,095	'	180,095

Stockbased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares reserved for issuance under long-term incentive plan	'	'	'	'	417,649
Number of shares available for grant under the long-term incentive plan	56,389	'	56,389	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense recognized	$0.30	$0.40	$0.70	$1.70	'
Weighted-average period for unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	'1 year 6 months	'	'	'	'
RSUs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Granted (in shares)	0	103,748	12,414	383,085	'

Stockbased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Restricted Stock Units Awards Activity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Weighted Average Grant Date [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Outstanding unvested at the beginning balance of the period	'	'	7.73	'
Granted	'	'	8.4	'
Vested restricted stock units	'	'	8.65	'
Forfeited	'	'	7.78	'
Outstanding unvested at the end of the period	7.56	'	7.56	'
RSUs [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Outstanding unvested at December 31, 2012	'	'	158,557	'
Granted	0	103,748	12,414	383,085
Vested restricted stock units	'	'	-86,016	'
Forfeited	'	'	-24,642	'
Outstanding unvested at September 30, 2013	60,313	'	60,313	'

Stockbased_Compensation_Schedu

Stock-based Compensation - Schedule of Unrecognized Stock-Based Compensation Expense Related to Outstanding Unvested Restricted Stock Unit Awards Expected to be Recognized (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
2013	$103
2014	237
2015	64
2016	19
2017	14
Thereafter	'
Total	$437