These little ratchets are the most used tools in my shop.

Titan Tools 11203 Offset Micro Bit Driver & Ratchet Set - 2Piece https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WIWKTK..._yC4nEbVGTXVBY

Bob and Norm, Thanks for your input. I?m going to carefully store the fairings and brackets so I?ll have them if I decide to put the fairings back on, or if I eventually sell the plane to someone who wants to put them on.

Thanks for the link. The L-shaped screw driver I bought is a different brand but otherwise is just like yours. Even with this low profile screwdriver, I still found it difficult to get at the screws on the bottom of the fairings.

Just roll the tire up on a 2X4 then you will have more room. :)

if it's closer than this, then maybe just a screwdriver bit turned with pliers

https://www.amazon.com/Ratchet-Screw...28&s=hi&sr=1-5

all the other fairing screws (on my 14) come out with a cordless drill/driver in about 3 sec each

Lower profile tools
 

I've been using the Craftsman set linked below for 20 years. They will get into tighter spots than the tools previously linked above.

https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-Rev...SIN=B004BWB96C

Charlie

I'm certain a Chapman gunsmithing screwdriver set would help you out. #9600

https://chapmanmfg.com/pages/gunsmith-screwdriver-sets

It's possibly more like 20-30 minutes? Certainly no longer than that. The bottom screw is a PITA but I use a ratcheting screwdriver as others have mentioned for those. Mine is like this: https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-03044A-...lose-Quarters/

I then use an electric driver for all the other screws. I had a relatively cheap SKIL branded one from WalMart for a long but which worked fine, but recently upgraded to a Bosch PS22-02 that I love. It doesn't really matter much though as long as there's an electric motor spinning that screw and not your arm. It's important to use one that has a torque clutch though. It takes some practice to not cam out the relatively soft stainless steal screws when using an electric driver but it's SO MUCH FASTER. I'd suggest buying lots of spare screws (100s) and aggressively throw away any that do cam out. They're cheap and the time you save is definitely worth it.

Taking them off shouldn't take very long. Getting them back on takes a bit longer but also isn't a huge deal. To get the screw holes to line up I have a few screwdrivers where the end has been ground to a relatively sharp point that I stick through the hole and through the nutplate to hold things in place while I add screws in other holes. Finger tighten a couple screws in a few threads until everything is in place, then go and put in the rest of the screws with just your fingers or a driver... a couple threads, just enough to know you're not inserting the screws cross threaded. Then come through with the electric driver to tighten everything down - being careful to set the torque clutch setting on the screwdriver such that you don't over-torque the screw and damage the fiberglass. For some of the lower screws it's helpful to put an extension on the driver since it makes it easier to get the correct angle. With practice you'll get pretty quick at it.

Also, if you don't already have one, get a shop creeper. It makes moving around under the plane a LOT easier. Just don't run into the radio antenna. :)

Maybe next time you put the wheel pants on, after a tire inspection, you leave just the bottom screw that's a PIA out?

I just made a small plywood ramp to elevate the tire about 4" which allows the use of a regular screw driver to get at the bottom wheel pant screw.