Abstract: A fluid bearing, which is an aerostatic bearing, wherein one of the surfaces which determine the bearing gap is compliant, so that the geometry of the bearing gap may increase upon increasing load. The notion "compliant" stands for surfaces that are clamped at one point and that are displaceable at a remote point by deformation of the surface, such as steel membranes for thrust bearings, as well as for surfaces that are not deformable but that may pivot about a given point, such as bearing sleeves for rotatable shafts. By the application of compensation the bearing stiffness may be increased.