As I have read for the Luftwaffe rank only mattered on the ground. Once in the air experience called the shots. There are plenty of stories of great 'captains' and 'majors' taking over lead of the gruppe from a Colonel for the simple reason they knew how to fight and get it done.
KN is hanging their hat on rank taking control of the CV. Fine, righ up until an experienced decision needs to be made. Apparently we have in-game moderators who check 200? Maybe they could also be given the authority to override rank on a CV. If rank is being used to properly position a CV for a fight, against a shore battery, etc I think we all agree, it should be. If, as in this case, it is just a few dorking around and the rest completely disagree, some authority needs to enabled to clear it up.
In real life, abused rank gets a reassignment and ultimately a blocked promotion and dumped out of the service.
Boo
PS I think one authority rank should have with a CV is to limit when a plane can be upped. We know some squads/players like to sneak a CV near a field, use the cruiser to take down much of the town then bum rush it. A new player ups from the CV and blows the cover. This could be handled properly with rank and moderator authority.