Is iPad Air 2 compatible with the 1st generation pencil

No.

(184629)

Sorry, no. The iPad Air2 is not compatible with Apple Pencil at all - as it lacks the screen hardware with which the Pencil interacts.

Here is the full compatibility list for Apple Pencil and iPad:

Apple Pencil (2nd generation)

You can use Apple Pencil (2nd generation) with these iPad models: 

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) and later
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation) and later
• iPad Air (4th generation)(as yet unreleased)

Apple Pencil (1st generation)

You can use Apple Pencil (1st generation) with these iPad models:

• iPad (8th generation)
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad (7th generation)
• iPad (6th generation)
• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st or 2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 10.5-inch
• iPad Pro 9.7-inch

Not sure which iPad you have? Identify your iPad model.