About twice as much as you think you do. I've found that when talking about beginners, if you can see a tree you can hit it.

As for easy flying planes without the electronic training wheels, the Mini Telemaster is a nice one. The Blue Baby is a home built foam plane that can be made very cheaply, and I hear it's gentle as long as there isn't much wind. But that's the thing- traits that make a plane easy to fly in some conditions make it harder in others. Take the Vapor that you mentioned. I have one that I fly in a gym. It's super easy in the gym, so much so I'll let anyone try it. But even 2-3 mph wind would make it uncontrollable. The Eflite Apprentice is a great trainer up to 7-8 mph wind, then it'll start getting tossed around. Larger .40 and .60 size planes can handle a lot more wind and are overall smoother and easier to see. But they need more space and are more expensive.

Your best bet would be to get with some guys who fly and see if someone will instruct you. One may even have a plane to let you give it a try.