Slider for disc storage system

A storage device comprising:

• a disc storage medium having a disc surface;
• an armature having a preload force;
• a transducer head carried on the armature proximate the disc storage medium;
• transducing circuitry coupled to the transducer head;
• and
• a slider coupled to the armature and the transducer head adapted to position the transducer head proximate the disc, storage medium the slider including an interface surface facing the disc surface having an air bearing region adapted to form an air bearing with the disc storage medium and having a contact pad extending from the air bearing region and contacting the disc surface with a contact force, the pad positioned between the transducer head and a leading edge of the slider. wherein the pad has a height which is sufficient to slightly contact the disc surface and thereby prevent contact between the disc surface and the transducer head during normal operation and a lift force from the air bearing is a function of the pad height;
• wherein the height of the contact pad wears due to contact with the disc storage medium during normal operation of the storage device such that a fly height of the slider is reduced and the lift force of the air bearing is increased until an equilibrium is reached between the lift force due to the air bearing and the contact force between the contact pad and the disc surface, wherein the air bearing configured to provide damping to the slider to reduce fly height variations in response to a disturbance.