A method and system control the flight height of a transducer element of a slider mechanism operating in association with a storage disk. The invention adjusts the flight height of transducer element to a first flight height using an electromechanical control mechanism. The flight height of transducer element then achieves a second flight height using a thermal control mechanism. The thermal control mechanism is associated with a thermally responsive portion of transducer element. By heating the thermally responsive portion, a portion of transducer element becomes sufficiently proximate to the storage disk for the transducer element to respond to physical forces arising from electrostatic induction between transducer element and the storage disk. Flight height adjustment of transducer element from the second flight height to a third flight height may then occur using an electrostatic control mechanism which generates a physical force through electrostatic induction.