An apparatus and method for utilizing a small pad to increase a head to a disk interface reliability for a load/unload drive. The method provides a suspension for reaching over a disk. A slider having a read/write head element on a trailing edge (TE) portion is also provided, the slider coupled with the suspension. In addition, a low friction zone is provided proximal to a leading edge (LE) portion of the slider such that when the LE portion of the slider is aligned to contact a disk element during the load phase, the low friction zone contacts the disk element and provides a reduced contact area with respect to the LE portion of the slider such that a friction force is reduced and the slider can assume a proper flying attitude.

 
Web www.patentalert.com

< Head slider having a flat first step and a second flat step with a groove therein, and disk drive employing the head slider

> Head suspension with polymer stiffener

~ 00423