A novel method of selecting an electrical power, to be applied to a subject head-based flying height actuator during operation of a disk drive, is disclosed and claimed. A touch-down power for each of a plurality of representative heads is detected. A relationship between back-off power and touchdown power for the plurality of representative heads is estimated. A touch-down power for the subject head is detected. A back-off power for the subject head is calculated using the estimated relationship and the detected touch-down power for the subject head. The electrical power to be applied to the subject head-based flying height actuator is selected to be equal to the detected touch-down power for the subject head minus the calculated back-off power for the subject head.