I have an iPad Air 2 can I use the Apple Pencil gen 1

See: https://www.apple.com/apple-pencil/select/

No Apple Pencil is compatible with your iPad, sorry. Don't buy one unless you have an iPad that is featured on the list i provided you.

I’m sorry to say that you can’t use a Apple Pencil with iPad Air 2 as it is compatible with iPad Air 3 onwards. Hope this helps 😁

you can use all normal Touch Capacitive Stylus though

https://www.amazon.com/slp/touch-capacitive-stylus/uu6y2q3cz3gj5ps