A magnetic head slider including a central pad that is disposed at the trailing edge of the slider and designed to increase the flying height of the slider in response to heat induced protrusion of the head elements. The central pad of the present invention includes a body portion and two arm portions which project forwardly from a leading edge of the body portion, such that the leading portion of the central pad is formed with a generally U-shaped profile. The length of the arm members is preferably from approximately 1/4 of the total length of the central pad to approximately 3/4 of the total length of the central pad.