I think the operative word here is "flying". From your description I get that you have not done much of that. Crash avoidance is not a bad thing to do, however it is not "flying" in the operative sense. You need to develope some understanding of how an airplane flies and the fundamental forces acting on it. Small electrics are not especially conducive to this process, as they tend to flit more than fly. The usual advice to work with an instructor is still good advice, though many have learned on their own, as have I. It just takes a little longer and costs a lot more. I think you are actually asking at what point does understanding come to be, and that is an indvidual trait. It should be already in process, but you need to give yourself some direction to help it along. Such as giving your self a plan before each flight - what specifically are you going to do in this flight, what maneuvers, what altitude, what speed, etc. Too often, flyers (not neccessarily newbies) just get in the air and flail about with no idea what they are doing or what they want to do. Simply being purposeful will go a long way toward improvement in your flying and in the satisfaction of it. Selection of airplanes and equipment is just an extention of being purposeful in your choices and selections.

Best of luck to you.