I think this is a fine idea, those far off Zoner bases could use a group of players providing regular trade from there.
DeathOverture does make a good point.
I suggest allowing the Escort Rank to use bombers, let them fly the Civ Bomber, and your Sr Escorts can fly the Taiidan to identify their rank and trustworthyness (Zoners would have bought those from their GMG allies rather than have built them so they may have been more expensive to field)
Perhaps at the beginning you might get left alone by the pirates when you do in-house routes but once you're recognized to be Zoners associated to the far off Freeports you'll find groups willing spice things up.