From the book: Heavy cruisers of the Admieal Hipper Class by Gewrhard Koop and Klaus-Peter Schmolke
Shipboard Aircraft
The ships were designed originally to carry three floatplanes of the standard naval type, the Arado Ar 196. The crew consisted of a Luftwaffe pilot and a naval officer as navigator/gunner. The latter, though seconded to the Seeluftwaffe, wore naval uniform and took part in routine shipboard watchkeeping and battle duties. Maintenance of the aircraft was performed by Luftwaffe personnel
Source: http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showthread.php?t=931140
Cheers,
Larry