Abstract: In a reel-to-reel longitudinally scanned tape transport or recorder, a length of media is positioned to fly in transducing relationship with a transducing head. The transducing head is mounted on a rotatable turntable rotor. The rotor includes a substantially circular member with concentric horizontal surfaces projecting in separate vertical planes. A cam shaped contour is fabricated on one of the horizontal surfaces with the transducing means positioned at the peak or crown of said cam shaped surface. There is a gradual roll off between the crown and the lowest point of the cam shaped surface. The roll off creates a converging channel which allows a sufficient volume of air to enter the interface between the media and the head and a diverging channel which allows the air to be bled off.

Abstract: A flying head, helical scan magnetic recording device comprises a tape source, a mandrel for supporting a helical wrap of magnetic tape, a rotor which is lobed with respect to the mandrel axis and a tape sink. The lobed rotor carries one or more magnetic heads at substantially the peak of the lobe around a flying scan path in non-contact, microinch adjacency to the magnetic tape supported on the mandrel. The major portion of the rotor, however, is recessed with respect to the magnetic tape, thereby minimizing the tendency of the tape to shear off the air bearing film carried by the rotor. The result is enhanced dynamic air bearing support of the tape in the immediate vicinity of the flying head.