It's definitely full GPS as Bose says, the assisted is just to narrow down the location if a cell tower or hotspot is present.
I've started the 3G iPad up with no SIM and no wifi hotspots nearby.
Finds the location no problem, and tracks correctly with MotionX.
Flight mode will disable the GPS also won't it? Yes, just checked, if you have flight mode on, that's no Wifi/3G/GPS. You need to have it off flight mode to get GPS even if there's no Wifi/Sim inserted.