It's not what it was. I used to write quite a lot for 'Pilot' in the days when it was owned and edited by the late James Gilbert. James would pay 'on acceptance' and would pay good rates. Twenty years ago £400 was not unusual for an article plus pictures (good photos are vital for a magazine piece). £650 is most I got.
The last one I wrote (well over a year ago) was in 'Pilot', about our group-owned Chipmunk. I wrote the piece (which was published verbatim) and another group member who is in the graphics industry supplied some excellent photographs.
'Pilot' seems to be much more receptive of unsolicited pieces than is 'Flyer', but it has to be good and in the 'house' style.
Go for it! It's quite a thrill to walk into WH Smiths and take a mag off the rack and see your own words in print!