Method and apparatus for increasing a durability of an exhaust nozzle flap seal

A variable geometry exhaust nozzle (90) for a gas turbine engine (20) having an exhaust centerline (74), said nozzle (90) comprising: a plurality of flaps (70) arranged around the exhaust centerline (74), each of said flaps (70) having a sealing surface (78); and a plurality of flap seals (72), each of said seals (72) having a body (80) including a sealing surface (82) and being positioned between a pair of flaps (70) of said plurality of flaps (70) such that said sealing surface (82) of said seal engages said sealing surface (78) of at least one of said adjacent flaps (70), wherein at least one of said seals has a cover (180) including a metallic wire mesh bonded to said body (80) with an adhesive so that said cover (180) overlaps at least a portion of an edge (168) of said body (80).