[8D]Respectfully, IMO, "learning to compensate" I don't think will do anything to make you a better pilot at this level. But I do think that becoming aware that problems exist and then working through them is essential to becoming a better pilot. I say that because once you become aware that there "is" a problem and you know "what it is you want the plane to do" then the learning really begins. At that point the pilot can shift gears from setting up the planes physical characteristics to simply get the plane to fly to analyzing the planes flight characteristics and setting up the plane to fly neutral. THAT is what will make you a better pilot.

If compensating for problems makes us better, then why do we adjust the thrust of the engine, wing incidence and trim the plane out? Lets just bolt the engine straight on and take the trims off the transmitter and deal with it.

Its no different than what you want your car to do. You want your car to go straight down the road, hands off right? I have used this analogy before, learning to drive your car down the road with the front end knocked out of alignment, crabbing sideways down the road does not make you a better driver. It simply teaches you to compensate. Now, for a beginner pilot maybe, MAYBE this drill has some value. However, if you are at the point that you can fly 3D or precision, these issues are nothing more than a distracting nuisance. Can you learn to do it without mixes, SURE! and I am sure that a lot of pilots at all levels do for that simple reason. But why?? Just so you can say "I fly without mixing"or "I fly without expo"?

I say spend WHOLE lot of time flying, analyzing how the plane flies and mechanically correcting flight deficiencies. Once you have exhausted all efforts to get the plane to fly neutral, mix it out.