a disc storage system includes a rotating disc and a transducer . the transducer is carried on a slider which is supported by an armature . the armature is used to move the slider radially across the disc surface whereby information may be read from or written to the disc surface of the transducer . the slider includes an air bearing surface which faces the disc surface . as the disc rotates , the air bearing surface causes the slider to “ fly ” over the disc surface . pads are provided on the air bearing surface to improve operational characteristics of the system . for example , the pads may be used to reduce the stiction or improve flying characteristics . flying instabilities associated with the pads are addressed by a number of characteristics provided to the air bearing surface .