A flying height tester includes a glass disc facing a magnetic head slider
under test; an optical system for guiding light to the glass disc so that
multiple reflections of light occur between the glass disc and the
magnetic head slider; a light sensor receiving reflection light from the
glass disc to output light intensity data; and a processor which
calculates back the flying height based on an output function of the
light sensor. The processor calibrates intensity gain data and intensity
offset data of the output function using the data obtained in a
pseudo-zero state of the flying height. This pseudo-zero state is
obtained by applying an index matching liquid between a first-calibration
magnetic head slider, having the same optical constants as the magnetic
head slider under test, and the glass disc, the index matching liquid
having a refractive index identical to the glass disc.