into the connecting tubes 50 and out the valve 48 in the direction of the arrow 52 fig2 in order to keep the area adjacent the operative face 44 of the head at atmospheric pressure or a natural foil air bearing pressure when the tape is stopped for whatever reason such as when the tape drive is awaiting a further command to sense the next group of data information from the tape 12 the tape and head interface is as shown in fig3 and 4 the tent like structure 56 is formed between the tape and the operative face 44 of the head 10 the tent like structure 56 is formed since both valves 46 and 48 are activated and the fluid pressure from pump 54 is directed as shown by arrow 58 through the activated valve 46 into the connecting tubes 50 and along the tape lifter tube 42 in the direction of arrow 60 the valve 48 is in a closed position the fluid pressure forms the tent like structure with the fluid exhausting through the slots 24 and 38 in order to control the distance between the tape 12 and the operative face 44 of the head 10 at the start up time where the transducing action between the head 10 and the tape 12 must again be activated the valves 46 and 48 are deactivated the tent like structure 56 collapses immediately because the fluid pressure is vented through the slots 24 and 38 and in the reverse direction opposite the direction of the arrow 60 through the lifter tube 42 out the connecting tubes 50 and the valve 48 to return the pressure between.