A storage apparatus including a motor for rotating a medium and a head that has a heater. The clearance between the medium and the head is controlled by expansion of the head by the heater. Some embodiments could include a monitor configured to monitor atmospheric pressure, and a controller configured to control the heater in accordance with the atmospheric pressure so as to control the clearance. Some embodiments could include a monitor configured to monitor a driving current flowing through the motor, and a controller configured to control the heater in accordance with the driving current so as to control the clearance.