The OAV Air Bearing Bar is produced with profile design for easy retrofitting into existing applications or designing into new applications. It generates an evenly distributed film of gas between the surface and the substrate. Because of low gas viscosity, friction losses by viscous shearing lead to the avoidance of mechanical contact. The combination of air pressure and vacuum allow the bearing bar to hold the substrate down while simultaneously lifting it from surface for ultimate precision and fly height. The fly height range of 20 to 120 μm maintains a stability of ±5 μm.