Abstract: In a magnetic disk file, the longitudinal rails of an air-bearing head slider are skewed at a predetermined angle relative to a tangential velocity vector line that passes through a transducer tangent to the particular data track over which said transducer is then disposed for causing airborne debris particles that are drawn in under the rails to be directed in a path that substantially avoids said transducer to reduce wear thereof. This angle is sufficient to cause said debris particles to be dispersed into a viscous fluid stream that flows outboard of said tangential velocity vector line and said transducer.