I had thought there was clarity on this in the RAW, but going back and reviewing the rules, I don't see it.

In a Chase, do the Pilot checks made at the start of the round use up the Pilot's actions?

I've always played it as no, otherwise a pursuing ship with only 1 pilot could never give chase and fire at the ship they are chasing.

(I wish the Chase Rules had been used in the O66 "example" when Sam was trying to flee.)

The way I read it you are correct and the chase action is untracked. After the chase check all players take their turns normally, which implys the pilot gets to take his turn normally just like everyone else. And as you mention from the perspective of the narrative, in a setting with iconic one man craft, using up the pilots action does seem rather limiting...

I have been playing it as "yes they do", but in hindsight it might be better to say "no"... would need to re-read the rules.

I think the chase rules say that the opposed check is made at the very start of the round, before anyone's Initiative. Then the GM calculates the distance between the ships, and everyone takes their actions with that distance as a starting point. I think (but I'm not sure; AFB at the moment) that both pilots can use the Fly manoeuvre to increase/decrease distance as per the usual movement rules during their respective turns.

I think (but I'm not sure; AFB at the moment) that both pilots can use the Fly manoeuvre to increase/decrease distance as per the usual movement rules during their respective turns.

Now that's the part I'm a little fuzzy on too.

On the one hand it doesn't make sense to do that (the chase check did that) on the other hand it doesn't say you can't...

My current interpretation is that you can't use it to change the distance between the chaser and chasee, but you can use it to change the direction/motion/distance of a chase relative to another location/item/characternot actively involved in said chase. So you can't use fly/drive/run to get away from the stormtroopers chasing you, but you can use it to lead the chase away from the hidden rebel base...

I'm AFB at the moment, but I think it says nobody can take actions that changes the position of the ships during the round, so that would probably mean no Fly maneuvers.

I'm AFB at the moment, but I think it says nobody can take actions that changes the position of the ships during the round, so that would probably mean no Fly maneuvers.

Double checked and indeed it does, but only for other chase participants, so if the ties are chasing you but the star destroyer isn't you can still fly away from the star destroyer.