An exemplary magnetic head assembly for use with magnetic recording media
is provided. In one example, a head includes a data island associated
with at least one data transducer, the data island having a width along a
direction of media transport and a radius of curvature. The magnetic head
further includes a mini-outrigger placed adjacent to the data island and
separated by a void, wherein a width of the mini-outrigger along the
direction of media transport is less than the width of the data island.
Additionally, in one example, the radius of curvature of the
mini-outrigger is less than the radius of curvature of the data island.
The wrap angle of magnetic storage tape to the data island may be less
than 3 degrees. Further, the radius of curvature of the mini-outrigger
may be less than one-half the radius of curvature of the data island.