I'd go for this as well. I like upping storches myself to provide recon support of tank battles even though I'm a sitting duck. here are some things to think about.
1. Make them large sea planes available at ports only. smaller sea planes could spawn from either carrier groups or ports.
2. Give them the respective armament package.
3. I would support displaying a "radar" ring around the plane with a radius of reasonable sight distance. This isn't so much like a radar tower as it is a way to display recon info on the map to fellow players. This can only pick up enemy CV groups, not enemy aircraft.
4. Sea planes can loiter around the enemy CV and broadcast its position for friendly raiders or go on the assault with its armament.
5. Sea planes able to carry cargo can resupply fields as well as damaged (but not sunk) CVs...possibly...maybe...