Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS Narrative (Details)

v3.3.0.814
ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS Narrative (Details)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
May. 01, 2015
USD ($)
Apr. 09, 2015
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2015
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2014
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2015
USD ($)
helicopter
Sep. 30, 2014
USD ($)
helicopter
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]              
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired         $ 3,165 $ 0  
Goodwill     $ 1,589   1,589   $ 352
Purchases of property and equipment         47,260 63,966  
Capitalized interest payments     1,800 $ 1,000 5,400 3,000  
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment         20,631 7,020  
Gains on asset dispositions, net     1,813 42 4,959 6,072  
Investment in sales-type leases     700   700    
Proceeds from sale of FBO         14,252 0  
Pre-tax gain on sale     0 $ 0 12,946 $ 0  
Hauser              
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]              
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired   $ 3,200          
Percentage of business acquired   75.00%          
Goodwill   $ 1,200          
Other intangible assets   $ 1,400          
Partner's percent of ownership interest   25.00%          
Sicher              
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]              
Percentage of business acquired   100.00%          
Era FBO LLC.              
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]              
Percentage of subsidiary sold 100.00%            
Proceeds from sale of FBO $ 14,300            
Pre-tax gain on sale $ 12,900            
Construction in Progress              
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]              
Interest capitalized in property and equipment     9,400   $ 9,400   $ 5,000
BO-105 Light Twin Helicopter              
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]              
Number of acquisitions | helicopter         3    
AS350 Single Engine Helicopter              
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]              
Number of acquisitions | helicopter         1    
AW139 Medium Helicopter              
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]              
Number of acquisitions | helicopter           4  
Other Types of Properties and Equipment              
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]              
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment         $ 18,500    
Gains on asset dispositions, net         3,100    
Equipment Leased to Other Party              
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]              
Gains on asset dispositions, net         $ 1,200    
Number of disposals from purchase option | helicopter         3    
Investment in lease asset     $ 2,300   $ 2,300    
Equipment Leased to Other Party, Early Buy-Out              
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]              
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment         2,100    
Gains on asset dispositions, net         $ 600    
Number of disposals from purchase option exercised | helicopter         2