Which of the following propeller positions produce the least amount of thrust and drag?

The feather position of a propeller is designed to minimize drag and produce the least amount of thrust when the engine is inoperative or when a controlled descent is desired. In this position, the blades are aligned parallel to the airflow, effectively preventing the propeller from generating thrust and reducing drag significantly. This is particularly beneficial in scenarios such as engine failure, where the pilot wants to maximize glide performance.

Other positions, such as high pitch or low pitch, are designed for specific performance profiles, such as cruising or takeoff, respectively. High propeller pitch generally provides less drag and increased efficiency at higher speeds, but still produces more thrust than the feathered position. Low pitch settings maximize thrust during takeoff and ascent, but they also introduce more drag at non-optimal speeds.

Since feathering minimizes resistance and thrust generation, it is the correct choice for producing the least amount of thrust and drag compared to other propeller positions.