Abstract: A read/write head for reducing flying height in a disk drive apparatus includes a write transducer for storing data on a storage medium, a read transducer for reading data from the storage medium, and read and write heater elements configured so that during read/write operations, heat dissipated in the read heater element is greater than heat dissipated in the write heater element. A control pad in the head receives current supplied to the read and write heater elements during read and write operations. During the write operation, protrusion of the read/write head attributable to the write transducer and the write heater element is greater than a protrusion of the head attributable to the read heater element. During the read operation, protrusion of the read/write head attributable to the read heater element and the read transducer is greater than a protrusion of the head attributable to the write heater element.