Narrative:

I was a crew member on flight dub-ZZZ. I was acting as the relief pilot during this segment and as such the pre-flight walk around duties fell to me. I completed my walk around as I normally do and did not notice anything wrong with the aircraft. On today's flight we were ramp checked by the [local] aviation authority; however I was unaware of this fact during my pre-flight inspection. At some point after my walk around was complete and I was back on the aircraft a man who was wearing a safety vest asked me if my walk around was complete. I answered that it was; and then the man asked me if I found anything. I still did not know that this man was with the [local] aviation authority and took him as a ground personnel in support of the [company] operation in dublin. I answered that I did not notice anything wrong with the aircraft. At this point he asked me if I noticed a hydraulic leak on the left wing. I told him that I did not but would go and look again. Upon further inspection I noticed evidence of a small possible hydraulic leak near the left aileron. The fluid appeared dry on the wing; there was no active leaking noticed and there was no fluid on the ground. I was now aware that the man who was asking the questions was with the [local] aviation authority performing a ramp check and decided it would be best to call maintenance (mx) and have them inspect the wing to make sure everything was alright. The captain was also informed. Mx came out and ran checks with the hydraulic pumps on and actuating the ailerons and noticed a leak of 7 drips per minute; which was within limits. The plane was airworthy and we continued our preflight preparations. After the [local] aviation authority completed their check they informed us they had two category ii remarks noted. One for the hydraulic leak and one for 'pre-flight performed without noticing a significant defect'. The authority forced the captain to sign the paperwork even though all flight crew members disagreed with the assessment and it was verbally noted that the signature does not indicate our acceptance of the authority's findings. During this whole ordeal; the [individual] was confrontational and not helpful. It seemed as if they were purposely trying to lead us down 'rabbit holes' in an attempt to find notable events. They were the exact opposite of helpful.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier flight crew reported having a ramp check at Dublin Airport (EIDW) with a hydraulic leak that was within limits per maintenance but were still written up as having 2 category II remarks.

Narrative: I was a crew member on flight DUB-ZZZ. I was acting as the relief pilot during this segment and as such the pre-flight walk around duties fell to me. I completed my walk around as I normally do and did not notice anything wrong with the aircraft. On today's flight we were ramp checked by the [local] Aviation authority; however I was unaware of this fact during my pre-flight inspection. At some point after my walk around was complete and I was back on the aircraft a man who was wearing a safety vest asked me if my walk around was complete. I answered that it was; and then the man asked me if I found anything. I still did not know that this man was with the [local] Aviation Authority and took him as a ground personnel in support of the [company] operation in Dublin. I answered that I did not notice anything wrong with the aircraft. At this point he asked me if I noticed a hydraulic leak on the left wing. I told him that I did not but would go and look again. Upon further inspection I noticed evidence of a small possible hydraulic leak near the left aileron. The fluid appeared dry on the wing; there was no active leaking noticed and there was no fluid on the ground. I was now aware that the man who was asking the questions was with the [local] Aviation Authority performing a ramp check and decided it would be best to call Maintenance (MX) and have them inspect the wing to make sure everything was alright. The Captain was also informed. MX came out and ran checks with the hydraulic pumps on and actuating the ailerons and noticed a leak of 7 drips per minute; which was within limits. The plane was airworthy and we continued our preflight preparations. After the [local] Aviation Authority completed their check they informed us they had two category II remarks noted. One for the hydraulic leak and one for 'Pre-flight performed without noticing a significant defect'. The authority forced the captain to sign the paperwork even though all flight crew members disagreed with the assessment and it was verbally noted that the signature does not indicate our acceptance of the authority's findings. During this whole ordeal; the [individual] was confrontational and not helpful. It seemed as if they were purposely trying to lead us down 'rabbit holes' in an attempt to find notable events. They were the exact opposite of helpful.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.