An apparatus provides improved positional control for an access element
moveable adjacent a rotatable surface, such as a data transducing head
adjacent a data recording surface of a data storage device. A
circumferentially extending windage plate is adapted for placement
adjacent the rotatable surface. The plate includes an edge surface
configured to extend adjacent a movement path of an access element across
the rotatable surface. The edge surface supports a ramp structure adapted
to receivingly support the access element at a position away from the
rotatable surface.