Abstract: A semi self-loading air bearing ferrite slider assembly has a tapered leading surface portion extending from a cross rail from which side rails and a middle rail extend rearwardly. The middle rail progressively narrows to form the transducer portion where it extends across the gap between the body portion and core piece near the trailing end of the rail. Etched surfaces between the middle rail and the side rails provides subambient pressure during operation when the slider is in flight whereby the balance between the repelling air bearing surface and attraction of the subambient pressure areas supplements the stabilizing force of the load arm.