Abstract: An air bearing assembly transports loads across a smooth and flat surface when pressurized with air. The air bearing assembly includes a frame and an air bearing. The frame has a flat side for supporting a load and has an inner ring extending from its other side. The air bearing includes a backing plate and a flexible diaphragm that forms an enclosed footprint on the surface when pressurized. The footprint of the diaphragm uniformly overlap the ring of the frame. A damping chamber is formed by the inner ring of the frame and by the backing plate. The damping chamber is sealed when the diaphragm is pressurized by the upward force exerted by the diaphragm upon the backing plate against the inner ring.