Is a 'Free Action' distinct from 'Action' for the purposes of activating PTL?

I was considering pairing Corran with Cracken (or Cracken with anyone), with the aim of giving a PTL Corran some extra actions in preparation for that second attack.

Nope, PTL can be activated by a free action, but remember that each pilot can only take each action once per turn.

Remebering that even if u use a 'Free Action' or a normal Action you can not pick the same action twice in 1 round.

like u cant pick focus and then pick focus for the 'Free Action'. even if the 'Free Action' if given to you from another ship.

As you would be getting 2 of the same action in the same round.