The invention is directed to a non-rotating head used in linear scanning of linear magnetic tape. For example, the head may include a non-rotating contoured surface shaped to facilitate flyability of linear magnetic tape passing over the non-rotating contoured surface. A contact area defining a magnetic gap may protrude from the surface. The contact area that projects from the surface can contact the magnetic tape to read data from the tape and/or write data to the tape as the tape flies over the surface.